Bryce Torneden named to Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas senior safety Bryce Torneden found his name on a second preseason watch list as the Wuerffel Trophy, presented by Chick-fil-A Foundation® announced its Watch List.

The Wuerffel Trophy, known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service,” is presented each February in Fort Walton Beach. Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Danny Wuerffel from the University of Florida, the Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the FBS player that best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

Torneden has participated in numerous community service initiatives with a focus on impacting the community he calls home, Lawrence. He has spent countless hours visiting local elementary schools and doing his best to impact the next generation of children.

The work Torneden is most-proud of is his role with Team Impact. Team Impact is a national nonprofit that connects children facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams, forming life-long bonds and life-changing outcomes. Torneden is KU Football’s leadership team captain for its relationship with Team Impact. He leads 10 players who determine how the program spends time with its teammate, Tayber Witt, and how they can positively impact his life. Torneden has spent countless hours with Witt on KU’s campus, but has also led groups visiting Witt at his school, taking him bowling and including him on team travel.

Because of his impressive leadership skills, Torneden was recently selected as one of the Big 12 Conference’s two football players tabbed for the NCAA’s Football Student-Athlete Connection Group.

On the field, Torneden earned All-Big 12 honorable mention honors in 2018. He also took home honorable mention honors from the league coaches in 2017, as well as, earning All-Big 12 Third Team honors from Athlon Sports.

Heading into the 2019 campaign, Torneden was recently tabbed a Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team honoree by Athlon Sports. Torneden has started 24 games, including 23-straight, at either safety or nickelback for KU. He is KU’s leading returning tackler as he posted 91 tackles in 2018. He also had one interception, which he returned 39 yards for a touchdown, and 5.5 tackles-for-loss as a junior.

Nominations for the Wuerffel Trophy are made by the respective universities’ Sports Information Departments and will close on October 15. A current list of nominees can be found at www.wuerffeltrophy.org beginning on August 1. Semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 5 and finalists will be announced on November 18.

The formal announcement of the 2019 recipient will be made at the National Football Foundation’s festivities in New York City on December 10. The presentation of the 2019 Wuerffel Trophy will occur at the 51st All Sports Association Awards Banquet on February 14, 2020 in Fort Walton Beach.

The Wuerffel Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast more than 800 recipients, dating back to 1935. Visit www.ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.

Torneden and the Jayhawks will begin the 2019 season on August 31 vs. Indiana State with an 11 a.m., kickoff in David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

Single game tickets for the 2019 Kansas football season are now available for purchase. Prices vary based on game and seat location. In addition to single-game tickets, Kansas Athletics is offering a Mini Plan option for Jayhawk football games. As part of the Mini Plan offer fans have the chance to purchase tickets to the Oklahoma (Oct. 5) and K-State (Nov. 2) games. Tier 1 Mini Plan tickets are available for $150, Tier 2 for $130 and Tier 3 for $99.

Season tickets for the seven-game home schedule are on sale for as low as $155. For additional ticket information contact the Kansas Sales Team by calling 800-34-HAWKS or visit kuathletics.com/tickets.

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