Nikolena Samac

Owen Schuckert Honored on 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

9/16/2025 8:00:00 AM | By: Joe Ginley '16, SID

Schuckert is the second Blue Streak in two years to win the award, and third ever

NORTHBROOK, Ill. – For a second straight year and the third time in program history, John Carroll will have a student-athlete on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®.

On Tuesday, Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the 2025 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®, honoring 22 college football players and one head coach for their extraordinary commitment to community service.

Owen Schuckert will represent John Carroll University with this prestigious honor, following Matt Wrather, who repped JCU on the 2024 Team.

"This is a blessing from God that I'm able to glorify Him," says the senior. "Ultimately, this award is all about what John Carroll University represents, being a Person for Others. For me to make an impact in this community is a blessing and it's all I could ask for."

Schuckert and his fellow 21 honorees were selected from a record 195 nominees, submitted by college sports information directors and coaches nationwide. The Good Works Team spotlights student-athletes who "lead with purpose," with 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Schuckert is one of 7 Division III representatives.

The star kicker and punter garners the recognition thanks to his depth and breadth of service with a wide number of organizations.

With Owen, others are always first. He never puts himself first, he is always worried about the other person," Head Coach Jeff Behrman '95 says. "That is what allows him to have a genuine heart and service mindset. He is very consistent. In everything he does, he lives by a one value system. How he handles one thing is how he handles everything. He is very proactive, he is not a reactive person. If you're going to serve others, you need to be proactive. He's always looking to help others. It's who he is. He's a true Man of Carroll."

One of Schuckert's primary leadership roles has been his work with Spark Specialized Services. Schuckert helps to provide services to developmentally disabled adult men, assisting with home care as well as the day program. Schuckert performs important tasks such as making meals, cleaning, providing transportation, as well as fun activities such as playing games, going on field trips, and playing games.

"This is my job and I know I get paid to do it but it is something that is very big in my life," says Schuckert. "Helping these young men really has made my life better and is such a beautiful cause."

Like Wrather before him, Schuckert is very involved with the Jesuit Day of Service. Schuckert has aided with the day of service in each of his three years at JCU. He now serves as a site captain, aiding in project overview and labor.

Tying in with his position, Schuckert helps with Kohl's Kicking Camps. The veteran serves as a mentor for kickers/punters from local high schools, including Cuyahoga Heights, Trinity, Independence, Gilmour Academy, Walsh Jesuit, Medina Highland, and others.

Sticking with football service, Schuckert has worked plenty with the Cleveland Browns. Most especially, Schuckert has assisted with the Browns' camp for developmentally disabled high school students, in collaboration with Special Olympics. Schuckert also worked the Browns' High School Combine Showcase, leading all JCU students as the main communicator and representor. Finally, Schuckert has volunteered his time for Tim Tebow Foundation's Night to Shine, helping to make a difference with people with special needs in the Northeast Ohio community.

Schuckert has also lent his time in support of people struggling with food insecurity. The senior has worked with More Than Food, co-founded by a JCU Football alum, Bricker Thiel '24. Alongside Thiel, Schuckert worked to build community while providing food for those in need. Additionally, Schucker has spent time with JCU's Labre Ministry for the Homeless, delivering food, clothing, and materials to the homeless population in the city of Cleveland.

The Brooklyn Heights native has served in his hometown, as well, volunteering at the Men's Service Club in the Village of Brooklyn Heights. Schuckert works events to help increase village engagement and camaraderie. He works to guide fun events for citizens.

"He has the courage to go out there and experience new things and help in different areas,"says Behrman. "He is very diverse in regards to what he does and what he is involved with. It's been great to watch him grow in that capacity.

Beyond his service work, Schuckert is very involved at John Carroll.

Schuckert is the President of the Pre-Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Club. He works to get students involved on campus in physical therapy and occupational therapy, providing networking and guiding meetings. In another leadership role, Schuckert is the Vice President of the Gift Of Life Club and Student Ambassador. He works with the non-profit organization to raise awareness and donations of stem cells and bone marrow to people in need.

Finally, Schuckert works as a Teacher Assistant for Anatomy and Physiology Lab and is a member of the Pre Health Coordinating Committee at JCU.

"John Carroll is a special place and it starts with the people," says Schuckert. "The people who have mentored me and become my teammates and best friends have pushed me to be more and to follow the Jesuit tradition and be someone for others."

Without a doubt, Schuckert's wide range of involvement is nothing short of impressive.

"My name is on this award, but this goes to so many other people," says the senior. "So many people have put me in the right positions and allowed me to grow and to give back to my community. I especially want to thank the coaching staff, as they have been fantastic. I hope me receiving this award can inspire others and push others to make a difference in their communities. At the end of the day, if we can all grow as human beings, that's the ultimate goal."

The full Allstate AFCA Good Works Team roster and their stories of community service can be found at ESPN.com/Allstate

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