ATLANTA - San José State offensive lineman Tyler Chen has been named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list. The prestigious honor recognizes college football players who combine exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field.
Chen, a key anchor on the Spartans' offensive line, has distinguished himself as a leader both in the trenches and throughout the Bay Area community. His dedication to service and academic excellence is reflected in a long list of achievements and campus initiatives:
Community Service & Leadership:
- Active mentor in local youth mentoring programs over the past two years.
- Hosted and led the Robert Sanders fifth-grade campus tour to inspire younger students.
- Participated in every Beyond Sparta event, including resume building, LinkedIn, and financial education workshops.
- Volunteered as an intern in student-athlete development last semester.
Academic & Athletic Honors:
- Beyond Sparta Award recipient (2026)
- Chi Alpha Sigma Inaugural Class inductee (2026)
- Mountain West Scholar-Athlete (2025)
- CSC Academic All-District (2025)
- Academic All-Mountain West (2024, 2025)
- President's Scholar designation
Chen is the first Spartan to be named to this prestigious watch list since Jalen Apalit-Williams in 2024.
Tyler Chen, OL, Jr-R., Rancho Cucamonga, Calif./Rancho Cucamonga HS/Utah Tech/Weber State
- Eight starts in 11 games played in 2025
- Played right guard, left tackle, and right tackle in 2025
- Part of an offensive line that was ninth in the country and third in the MW, only letting up 12 sacks in 2024
ABOUT THE WUERFFEL TROPHY
Established in 2005, the Wuerffel Trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrates their impact, and inspires greater service across the nation. A member of the National College Football Awards Association, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. It is the first major award honoring the character of service to others.
The Wuerffel Trophy is named after Heisman Trophy winner, College Football Hall of Famer, former NFL quarterback, and renowned humanitarian Danny Wuerffel, whose life mission is to inspire greater service in the world. Wuerffel led the University of Florida to four SEC Championships and the Gators’ first National Football Championship as the team’s star quarterback. The 1996 Heisman Trophy winner set 17 NCAA and Florida records and won a myriad of other awards, including the Maxwell Award, the Davey O’Brien Award, and the William V. Campbell Trophy, presented to the nation’s top scholar-athlete. As a nationally recognized humanitarian, Wuerffel inspires leaders to use their influence to make a positive impact and currently serves as President of the Wuerffel Foundation.
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