ATLANTA – Tennessee veteran defensive lineman Bryson Eason was named to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List on Thursday.
The redshirt senior was one of a record 116 nominees for this year’s award, which recognizes college football players from across the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) who exemplify community service, academic excellence and athletic achievement.
Widely regarded as college football’s premier award for community service, the Wuerffel Trophy celebrates student-athletes who use their platforms to serve others and create positive change. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winner and University of Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, who turned his football success into a lifelong mission of service, the award reflects his legacy of leadership and humanitarianism. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the trophy’s founding.
Eason enters his sixth and final season with the Volunteers after opting to return for one more year following a productive 2024 season that saw him start all 13 games and finish with 24 total tackles and a career-high seven tackles for loss while helping lead UT to its first College Football Playoff appearance.
The Memphis native represented the Vols at SEC Media Days in mid-July and is one of the undisputed team leaders entering this season. Eason is also a nominee for the 2025 Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team thanks to his involvement in the community.
The 2025 Wuerffel Trophy finalists and winner will be selected by a national voting committee, with input from a fan vote. The 2025 recipient will also serve as Captain of the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards show on Dec. 12, airing on ESPN. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will follow on Jan. 31, 2026, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The full watch list for this year’s Wuerffel Trophy can be found HERE. A comprehensive list of preseason honors for Tennessee players and coaches can be seen below.
2025 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Dodd Trophy Watch List
DeSean Bishop, RB, R-So.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Arion Carter, LB, Jr.
Butkus Award Watch List
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Boo Carter, DB, So.
Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Rickey Gibson III, DB, Jr.
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Lance Heard, OL, Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Joshua Josephs, DL, Sr.
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Miles Kitselman, TE, R-Sr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr.
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
First Team All-American (Athlon, PFF, Walter Camp)
First Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media)
Jackson Ross, P, R-Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
