Eastern Michigan Athletics
Dennis Strey Jr. Named to 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
8/11/2026 12:00:00 PM | Football
Graduate student offensive lineman earns second national recognition for community service
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University graduate student offensive lineman Dennis Strey Jr. (Paw Paw, Mich./Paw Paw) has been named to the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, adding another national honor recognizing his commitment to community service, leadership, academics, and athletics.
Strey is one of 113 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) student-athletes named to the 2026 Watch List for college football's premier award for community service. The honor recognizes student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and make a positive impact in their communities.
The announcement comes shortly after Strey was named a 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee, giving the Eastern Michigan standout two national honors recognizing his commitment to service and leadership off the field.
A graduate student offensive lineman from Paw Paw, Mich., Strey has built an extensive record of community service during his time at Eastern Michigan. Across four years, he has completed more than 85 hours of community service and has consistently participated in outreach events, youth programs, and service initiatives throughout the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor communities.
Strey's service has included volunteering with Foundations Preschool, Youth Day, Victory Day, Perry Elementary Field Day, Day of Reading at East Arbor Charter, YIES, Shop with a Cop, Erikson Elementary, Perry Early Learning, the Huron Valley PACE Nursing Home, Christian Love Fellowship Kitchen, Prodisee Food Pantry, the Washtenaw County Park Cleanup, Friends in Deed, Albertson Foodbank, and Be a Model Man.
A walk-on for the Eagles, Strey has also demonstrated his commitment to giving back through personal generosity. He used his own money to purchase more than 100 books for Eastern Michigan's annual spring game book drive. Teammates and staff have also noted his willingness to volunteer, including attending weekly service opportunities even when he was not assigned to participate.
On the field, Strey appeared in nine games during the 2025 season and helped anchor an offensive line that allowed just 11 sacks, the sixth-fewest in the nation, while helping pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher Dontae McMillan. He earned Academic All-MAC honors in both 2025 and 2024.
Strey earned his MBA from Eastern Michigan in December 2025.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Danny Wuerffel, the award was established in 2005 and is celebrating its 22nd anniversary in 2026.
The 2026 Watch List features 113 student-athletes, with the Big Ten leading all conferences with 18 nominees. The ACC, SEC, and Big 12 each have 15 nominees.
As part of a partnership between the Wuerffel Foundation, Allstate, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), 11 student-athletes from the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in September and become semifinalists for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists will be selected by the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy National Selection Committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2026 recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show Dec. 11 and will also serve as captain of the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Strey is one of 113 Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) student-athletes named to the 2026 Watch List for college football's premier award for community service. The honor recognizes student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and make a positive impact in their communities.
The announcement comes shortly after Strey was named a 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee, giving the Eastern Michigan standout two national honors recognizing his commitment to service and leadership off the field.
A graduate student offensive lineman from Paw Paw, Mich., Strey has built an extensive record of community service during his time at Eastern Michigan. Across four years, he has completed more than 85 hours of community service and has consistently participated in outreach events, youth programs, and service initiatives throughout the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor communities.
Strey's service has included volunteering with Foundations Preschool, Youth Day, Victory Day, Perry Elementary Field Day, Day of Reading at East Arbor Charter, YIES, Shop with a Cop, Erikson Elementary, Perry Early Learning, the Huron Valley PACE Nursing Home, Christian Love Fellowship Kitchen, Prodisee Food Pantry, the Washtenaw County Park Cleanup, Friends in Deed, Albertson Foodbank, and Be a Model Man.
A walk-on for the Eagles, Strey has also demonstrated his commitment to giving back through personal generosity. He used his own money to purchase more than 100 books for Eastern Michigan's annual spring game book drive. Teammates and staff have also noted his willingness to volunteer, including attending weekly service opportunities even when he was not assigned to participate.
On the field, Strey appeared in nine games during the 2025 season and helped anchor an offensive line that allowed just 11 sacks, the sixth-fewest in the nation, while helping pave the way for 1,000-yard rusher Dontae McMillan. He earned Academic All-MAC honors in both 2025 and 2024.
Strey earned his MBA from Eastern Michigan in December 2025.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually by the Wuerffel Foundation to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Danny Wuerffel, the award was established in 2005 and is celebrating its 22nd anniversary in 2026.
The 2026 Watch List features 113 student-athletes, with the Big Ten leading all conferences with 18 nominees. The ACC, SEC, and Big 12 each have 15 nominees.
As part of a partnership between the Wuerffel Foundation, Allstate, and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), 11 student-athletes from the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team in September and become semifinalists for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists will be selected by the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy National Selection Committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2026 recipient will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show Dec. 11 and will also serve as captain of the 2026 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Players Mentioned
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