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Nathan Clayberg Award

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Nathan Clayberg Named To Prestigious Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team

The senior from Pella, Iowa, is one of just 22 players from all divisions of college football to earn the honor.

DES MOINES, Iowa - Nathan Clayberg, a fifth-year senior defensive end on the Drake University football team, has been named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The Pella, Iowa, native learned of his selection to the 22-person team during a surprise ceremony at St. Theresa Catholic School Friday, Sept. 14, during his weekly volunteer visit to read to classrooms there.

The prestigious award, which has played a prominent role in collegiate sports for more than 25 years, celebrates student-athletes for their extraordinary commitment to making a lasting impact off the field. Clayberg, who is an all-conference performer on the field and CoSIDA Academic All-American, is one of just 22 student-athletes from across all divisions of college football to earn the honor and the third Drake football student-athlete in eight years to be a member of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

"When I was nominated, I felt there are so many people that have been a part of what I've done at Drake that I felt unworthy," Clayberg said. "It's a huge honor. People say they're humbled, and that's truly how I feel. I'm glad that I can be a part of things that make a difference."

Clayberg is also eligible to be named the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Captain based on fan voting through Nov. 23. Fans can vote for Clayberg at ESPN.com/Allstate. The team captain will be honored at this season's The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

In addition to his participation in Drake's weekly off-campus reading program, Clayberg has founded not one, but two service organizations while at Drake University. Clayberg created UNITE to focus on restoring the areas of society that are most broken while empowering future young leaders to follow their dreams.

"I am a man of faith and I am passionate about seeing the Kingdom [of God] come to this earth," Clayberg added. "Everything I do is focused through that lens. Right now it is smaller things, but I hope to continue to dream big and make a difference that spans the state, country and world."

As part of the organization, Clayberg helped organize a community service day that involved hundreds of people across six different towns in South Central Iowa, including more than 35 different service projects such as painting, yard work and basic construction.

Additionally, Clayberg founded the Next Step Moving Company to financially aid specific non-profit efforts including Students Against Human Sex Trafficking, Des Moines Public Schools and Youth With a Mission.

"To get to coach guys like Nathan, I'm the most blessed man on the earth," said Drake football head coach Rick Fox. "And Nathan is just one of them. That is just who we are as a program. It's a powerful thing to work with young men like that. This is what we want Drake football to be about."

Clayberg and the entire 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® will be invited to New Orleans to participate in a special community service project ahead of the 2019 Allstate® Sugar Bowl®, where the entire team will also be recognized on the field during a halftime presentation.
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Players Mentioned

Nathan Clayberg

#46 Nathan Clayberg

DL
6' 5"
Fifth Year

Players Mentioned

Nathan Clayberg

#46 Nathan Clayberg

6' 5"
Fifth Year
DL