Putting Others First: Notre Dame’s Aamil Wagner Earns Nomination to Prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for 2025

In the world of college football, where headlines are often dominated by explosive plays, five-star recruits, and Heisman watchlists, it’s easy to forget the quiet leaders—those whose impact stretches far beyond the gridiron. One of those rare student-athletes is Notre Dame’s Aamil Wagner, a towering presence on the offensive line who has steadily become an even larger figure in the lives of those he serves. In a testament to his selfless nature and unwavering commitment to service, Wagner has been named a nominee for the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team—a prestigious honor reserved for college football players who exemplify the true meaning of leadership and community involvement.

Wagner, a redshirt junior from Dayton, Ohio, has built his football career on grit, patience, and relentless hard work. But what sets him apart isn’t just his performance on the field—it’s the way he puts others first, a core value deeply embedded in the Notre Dame tradition. That mindset has propelled him into a select group of athletes recognized not only for athletic excellence but for embodying the spirit of giving.

When the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team announced its 2025 nominees, Wagner’s name on the list came as no surprise to those within the Notre Dame community. The Fighting Irish coaching staff, his teammates, and even professors have long marveled at his passion for service and humility. Whether it’s organizing coat drives for South Bend’s underserved communities or mentoring local high school students on life and leadership, Wagner has consistently used his platform as a student-athlete to be a force for good.

“Aamil doesn’t just talk about leadership—he lives it,” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said. “He shows up, no cameras, no spotlight, just him being present where people need him. That’s what makes him special.”

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which was established in 1992, recognizes 22 college football players each year from across the NCAA’s divisions for their exemplary volunteer efforts, civic responsibility, and commitment to enriching the lives of others. Nominees are selected not just for how they serve, but for how they inspire. Wagner fits that mold to perfection.

Over the past year, Wagner has immersed himself in community projects throughout South Bend and his home state of Ohio. During school breaks, while many players return home to rest and reset, Wagner has consistently chosen to pour back into the communities that shaped him. In South Bend, he regularly volunteers at the Center for the Homeless, serves meals, and helps lead enrichment activities for children. His initiative in launching a campus-wide blood drive in partnership with the American Red Cross drew more than 200 student donors—a project that Wagner organized from scratch.

But perhaps his most lasting contribution is his work with “Books and Brotherhood,” a literacy and mentorship program he co-founded alongside two other Notre Dame students. The initiative pairs student-athletes with South Bend middle schoolers, creating a unique environment where reading becomes fun and where conversations about goal-setting, self-respect, and community leadership flourish. The program has drawn praise from local educators and is already being eyed for expansion across the state.

For Wagner, none of this is about accolades. “I’ve been blessed with so much—an education at Notre Dame, an opportunity to play football, and a family that taught me the importance of service,” he said. “Being able to give back is the least I can do. It’s not about recognition. It’s about responsibility.”

His sense of responsibility also extends to his teammates. As one of the most respected voices in the Notre Dame locker room, Wagner has taken on a leadership role that transcends class year or depth chart status. He’s the first to welcome freshmen, the one pulling a teammate aside when they need encouragement, and often the last to leave the facility after checking in with staff. According to teammates, his leadership is felt more in action than in words.

“Wags is that guy who checks in on you when nobody’s looking,” said fellow offensive lineman Blake Fisher. “He doesn’t have to say much. You just feel better knowing he’s got your back.”

Wagner’s nomination also shines a light on Notre Dame’s broader culture—a program deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition of service and mission. The school’s ethos of developing not just elite athletes but whole persons—intellectually, spiritually, and morally—has long been part of its identity. Wagner embodies this ideal in every way.

The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team will announce its final roster of honorees later this year, and Wagner stands as a strong candidate to earn one of those coveted spots. Should he make the final team, he’ll join a long list of Notre Dame legends who’ve been recognized for their impact beyond football—including players who have gone on to lead nonprofits, serve in government, and inspire the next generation of changemakers.

But even if his name is never called, Wagner’s nomination alone is a testament to the enduring influence he’s had—not just in the Irish locker room but across the South Bend community and beyond. His story is a reminder that greatness in college athletics isn’t measured solely in touchdowns or trophies but in moments of kindness, in selfless acts, and in putting others first.

As the 2025 season approaches, Wagner remains locked in on his goals—helping Notre Dame compete for a College Football Playoff berth, mentoring the younger guys in his position room, and continuing his community efforts without fanfare. Balancing all of that takes focus and discipline, but he’s never lost sight of what drives him.

“My faith and my family always emphasized one thing: leave people better than you found them,” Wagner said. “If that’s what I’m remembered for—more than football—then I’ll be proud.”

Aamil Wagner might be a name familiar to Fighting Irish fans for his blocks, technique, and physical presence at the line of scrimmage. But now, thanks to this national nomination, the world sees a fuller picture. He’s not just a protector of quarterbacks. He’s a protector of hope—a bridge-builder, a role model, and an embodiment of Notre Dame’s call to “be a force for good.”

As fall Saturdays light up Notre Dame Stadium once again, keep an eye on number 62—not just for the way he moves defenders off the ball, but for the way he continues to move hearts off the field. Because in a sport where big hits rule the highlight reels, Aamil Wagner is proving that the biggest impact often comes quietly, one act of service at a time.