Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita’s off-the-field efforts have earned him a spot on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist.
The AFCA Good Works Team recognizes college football players who excel in community service, academics and athletics. Fifita is one of 22 players on the AFCA Good Works Team — one of two players from the Big 12, along with Baylor safety Michael Allen.
The Wuerffel Trophy is given to a college football player who excels in athletics, academics and community service. Fifita is one of 11 semifinalists. The winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards ceremony on Dec. 11.
Former Arizona safety Genesis Smith, who's now a rookie with the Los Angeles Chargers, was named to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team last season. Smith's foundation created the holiday drive "Christmas Cats" and donated presents to families in Tucson and Phoenix.
People are also reading…
Fifita's foundation, "First Down Faith Foundation," honors faith, family and football — three important pillars of Fifita's life — and gives back to the Tucson community. First Down Faith Foundation has hosted two football camps at Casino Del Sol Stadium since it started last year. Their latest camp in April had about 100 middle school-aged participants, including 30 girls.
Fifita said in April that the First Down Faith Football Camp and its purpose "is important because my purpose on this Earth isn't to play football."
"God gave me the talents; he gave me the ability and this platform to play football, which I love to do," Fifita said. "But at the end of the day, football comes and goes. We've had great seasons, and then we had a poor season. Fans come and go, stats come and go, but what got me through the good, what got me through the bad, is my faith. That's what my grandpa instilled in me.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita plays around with one of his campers in the middle of a game of ultimate football that wrapped up the First Down Faith Football Camp in Tucson on April 17, 2026.
"I hope to share with the next generation that their identity isn't in football or how popular they are in school, it's in God. That's my mission."
First Down Faith Foundation has roughly 330 hours of community service and has served nearly 3,600 community members in Tucson.
Fans can vote for Fifita to win the Wuerffel Trophy at ESPN.com/Allstate.
Arizona (1-1) faces NIU (0-2) at Casino Del Sol Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on TNT, HBO Max and TruTV.
Contact Justin Spears, the Star's Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
5 takeaways from Arizona football’s 28-17 loss to No. 15 BYU | Michael Lev
