Alexander Kilgore has built a reputation as one of SMU’s leaders on and off the field and his continued community work has earned another national honor heading into his senior season.
Alexander Kilgore’s impact at SMU has never been confined to the field, and once again, it is being recognized on a national stage. The senior linebacker was named to the 2026 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List on Tuesday, marking the second consecutive year he has earned a spot on the list for his service to the community.
The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy is college football’s premier award for community service, presented annually to the FBS player who best combines exemplary service with leadership and performance on and off the field. Named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and former Florida quarterback, the award reflects his lifelong commitment to leadership, service and unity. Kilgore is one of 113 nominees nationwide.
His work off the field is what earned the recognition. Per SMU’s release, “An integral member of the Dallas community, Kilgore volunteered to coach youth football camps with local kids in both the Dallas and Houston areas as well as spend time with patients at the Children’s Health Hospital.” The work reflects a sustained commitment to the communities around him and his use of the SMU platform to make a difference in the lives of local children.
This is not a one-time recognition, either. Kilgore was named an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team nominee earlier this offseason for the second consecutive season, and he landed on the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List a year ago as well. The continued recognition reflects a player who has made community service part of his career at SMU.
The recognition extends beyond his work in the community. Kilgore backs it up on the field. The Katy, Texas, native and team captain appeared in and started 11 games last season, finishing fourth on the team with 60 tackles while adding 3.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions.
Entering 2026, he has already been named a Preseason Second-Team All-ACC selection and appears on both the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine Bowl watch lists. Those honors point to an expanded role in his senior season. As one of the leaders of an SMU defense with high expectations, Kilgore has an opportunity to make his biggest impact yet and strengthen his case for national recognition as both a player and Wuerffel Trophy contender.
In September, 11 student-athletes from the watch list will be named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and become semifinalists for the trophy. The finalists will then be selected by a national committee with input from a fan vote and the winner will be announced live on the College Football Awards show on Dec. 11.
