DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central University offensive lineman
Nick Leverett already knew he was member of an elite group of 22 college football players to be selected for the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, announced by Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association on Sept. 13.
However, what Leverett did not know was that after football practice on Wednesday (Oct. 10), Allstate Insurance agent and NCCU alumnus John Palmer, members of the Leverett family, and NCCU staff and fellow student-athletes were there to surprise the athletic, academic and community leader with his award.
A native of Concord, North Carolina, Leverett is a two-time All-MEAC offensive lineman and team captain, a three-year graduate with a degree in criminal justice and a 3.37 overall grade point average, a campus leader, and an active participant in community service.
"In the last three years, I've watched Nick grow into one of the finest young men that I know," said NCCU football head coach
Granville Eastman. "Nick is not only a model student-athlete, but he is also a model citizen. He is one of the best and the brightest that we have to offer."
NCCU student-athlete leadership and engagement coordinator
George Midgett considers Leverett one of the most well-rounded and mature students he has ever worked with. "His commitment to academics, athletics and service make him an excellent representation of NCCU," said Midgett. "He has tirelessly dedicated himself to bettering the campus and the surrounding community in serving more than 125 hours of community service.
"One case in particular comes to mind when thinking of his selflessness," Midgett added. "After a meal, Nick, unprompted, gathered leftover food from a campus outing and led of a group of students to distribute the meal to members of the Durham homeless community."
The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® is comprised of 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA and one honorary head coach.
The 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.
Leverett is the third NCCU football student-athlete to earn distinction on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® in recent years, joining
Jordan Reid in 2013 and Carl Jones in 2016.
NICK LEVERETT:
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Leverett has participated in numerous community service initiatives as a member of the NCCU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), the NCCU football team, his fraternity and honor society, as well as on his own…
FPG Bilingue Elementary School – March 2018 (Chapel Hill, NC)
Spoke to elementary students about character building, breaking barriers, and not giving up during adverse times.
"Ties of Honor" – Feb. 2018 (Durham, NC)
Taught fellow male students about professional etiquette and how to tie a necktie.
Toiletry Drive – Fall 2015, 2016 & 2017
Collected unused toiletries from hotels where athletic teams stayed and created toiletry bags for the Durham Rescue Mission. (NCCU SAAC)
Feed-A-Family Thanksgiving – 2015, 2016 & 2017
Collected donations and food to feed the less fortunate for Thanksgiving. (NCCU SAAC)
Real Talk – Feb. 2018
Collaborated with campus police to discuss issues of campus safety. (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.)
Habitat for Humanity – (multiple times)
Volunteered to build houses for the less fortunate.
Durham Rescue Mission – Oct. 2017
Gathered and donated more than 200 canned goods to the Durham Rescue Mission in support of the surrounding community.
Back-Pack Drive – Aug. 2017 (fraternity)
Gathered back packs and other school supplies to help kids going back to school. (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.)
Ronald McDonald House – July 2017
Baked and cleaned to assist patients and their families. (NCCU Preparing to Soar Program)
Seeds – July 2017
Worked in gardens to promote community growth. (NCCU Preparing to Soar Program)
Pizza for Homeless – July 2017
Gathered mentees and drove around Durham, NC passing out food to the homeless.
"OneLove" Domestic Violence – March 2017
Watched the movie "OneLove" and participated in an activity involving domestic violence awareness. (NCCU Football)
Kiss Away Cancer – Feb. 2017
Made Valentine's Day cards for cancer patients. (NCCU Football)
ATHLETICS
2018 National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award Winner (football performance, academic achievement, school leadership)
Two-time All-MEAC Selection
- 2017 All-MEAC Second Team
- 2016 All-MEAC Third Team
2016 FCS Football Freshman All-American - Second Team (TonySoftli.com)
Two-time MEAC Offensive Lineman of the Week (2016 & 2017)
2016 NCCU Football Newcomer of the Year
Has started every game on the offensive line during his three seasons at NCCU.
ACADEMICS
3.37 overall GPA / Criminal Justice major
Earned bachelor's degree in Summer 2018 (just three years, plus summer school), and began graduate school in Fall 2018, majoring in public administration.
Two-time Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) All-Academic Team
Seven-time Dean's List Honoree (3.600 GPA in Spring 2018 semester)
Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society Inductee (2018)
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
NCCU Director of Athletics Captains Council – Football Liaison
NCCU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) – Football Liaison/Community Service Coordinator
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Tau Psi Chapter – Keeper of Peace
NCCU Football Team Captain – 2017 & 2018
U.S. Marines "Battles Won" Symposium Honoree (at 2018 MEAC Basketball Tournament)
The following players and honorary head coach have been named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®:
Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
Clemson University - Sean Pollard
Duke University - Johnathan Lloyd
Kansas State University - Dalton Risner
Syracuse University - Kielan Whitner
University of California, Berkeley - Patrick Laird
University of Georgia - Rodrigo Blankenship
University of Nebraska - Freedom Akinmoladun
University of Notre Dame - Nic Weishar
University of Oklahoma - Caleb Kelly
University of Texas - Chase Moore
University of Wisconsin - D'Cota Dixon
Combined Divisions (FCS, II, III & NAIA)
Bemidji State University - Jared Henning
Bethel University (Minn.) - Kyle Kilgore
Butler University - Drew Bevelhimer
DePauw University - Hunter Sego
Drake University - Nathan Clayberg
Macalester College - Ethan Levin
Morningside College - Trent Solsma
North Carolina Central University -
Nick Leverett
North Dakota State University - Easton Stick
Saint John's University (Minn.) - Jackson Erdmann
Southwest Minnesota State University - Jon Dicke
Honorary Head Coach
Washington University in St. Louis - Larry Kindbom
Fans are encouraged to visit
ESPN.com/Allstate to vote for the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® Captain now through Nov. 23, 2018. The Team Captain will be honored at this season's The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
