Tech’s Mote, Blankenship named to Wuerffel Trophy watch list

Louisiana Tech junior deep snapper Reeves Blankenship and junior offensive lineman Joshua Mote were two of 93 FBS college football players named to the 2021 Wuerffel Trophy Watch List as announced on Thursday.

The Wuerffel Trophy is known as “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service.”

Named after 1996 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from the University of Florida, Danny Wuerffel, the Wuerffel Trophy is presented in February annually in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The trophy exists to honor college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society and inspire greater service in the world.

Blankenship and Mote have each accumulated the most community service hours on the football team while at Tech.

Blankenship has participated in various community service projects such as the Special Olympics, Willis-Knighton, Night to Shine and virtual student teaching. Mote’s community service projects include Willis-Knighton, Night To Shine, Buddy Ball, Special Olympics, Big Event and the voting registration drive.

He appeared in nine games as Louisiana Tech’s starting deep snapper in the 2020 season.

Mote was named to the 2021 Conference USA Preseason Watch List after being an all-Conference USA honorable mention and a Phil Steele All-Conference USA Fourth Team honoree in 2020. He was part of an offensive front that ranked first in C-USA and second in the FBS in fourth down conversions.