NORTHBROOK, Ill. – Mount Union senior defensive lineman Matt Lilja (Ashtabula / Edgewood) was named on the final prestigious Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team®.

The 31st Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® recognizes 22 college football student-athletes and an honorary head coach for outstanding contributions to their communities. Lilja is only one of four NCAA Division III players in the country to earn a spot.  

A team captain this season, Lilja has been an All-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) and Academic All-OAC honoree. Lilja is just as dedicated off the field with numerous volunteer and community services. Lilja mentors through Alliance's Raider Buddies and the Mount Union football team. He also joined the Alliance Community Clean Up initiative. Additionally, Lilja has volunteered with Mount Union's Be The Match, Alex's Lemonade Stand, Lake Shore Park Clean Up, American Heart Association, and Kent State Ashtabula America Red Cross.

Team officials from across the country nominated players from their schools for the prestigious award based on their work off the field. A list of 114 nominees was announced in July before the final 22-player roster was chosen by the selection panel, which includes former Good Works Team players, journalists and officials from Allstate and the AFCA. The panel looks for players that demonstrate exceptional leadership on and off the football field. 

"The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team is arguably college football's highest honor because it recognizes a player's integrity and service off the field rather than their performance on it," said Executive Vice President and General Manager, Allstate Sales and Distribution, Troy Hawkes. "The sports world is often defined by what happens between the lines. While they are also accomplished as players, these 22 student-athletes make a monumental difference in their communities. Allstate is so proud to honor them as beacons of positive change around the country."

The final roster features 11 players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision; 11 players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics; and one honorary head coach.

Allstate will continue its tradition of rewarding these athletes with an NIL opportunity as well as a charity match from The Allstate Foundation.