MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State junior offensive lineman Dalton Risner was honored for his work on the field and in the community as he has been named a nominee for the America Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team, the organization announced Monday.
One of the most prestigious off-the-field honors in college football, the AFCA Good Works team has recognized college football players from across the country who display dedication to volunteerism and enriching the lives of others. This year’s list is comprised of 146 nominees across all divisions of the NCAA and the NAIA, including 76 from the FBS and eight from the Big 12.
Risner’s inclusion on the list marks the ninth for the Wildcats in the last 10 years. Most recently, defensive back Dante Barnett was a candidate in 2016 after former wide receiver and current Offensive GA Stanton Weber was up for the award in 2015. Tyler Lockett was a two-time nominee in 2013 and 2014, while former quarterback and current assistant coach Collin Klein was named to the team at season’s end in 2012.
A product of Wiggins, Colorado, Risner was a First Team All-Big 12 performer in 2016 at right tackle after picking up Freshman All-America honors as a redshirt freshman center the year prior. Last season, Risner helped spearhead an offensive line that set the school record for yards per carry (5.27) and rank in the top 10 in three other rushing statistics.
Off the field, the 2016 First Team Academic All-Big 12 performer has volunteered in a plethora of community-service activities, including: Cats in the Classroom (volunteer at local elementary schools); Special Olympics; Tipoff for TP (Collection of goods for the Manhattan Emergency Shelter); Cats 4 Cans (Collection of food items for the Flint Hills Breadbasket); Adopt-a-Family (Provide gifts to families in need over the holiday season); Senior Cats (spending time at local retirement homes) and Future Wildcats (working with small children).
Risner, along with co-captains Jesse Ertz, D.J. Reed, Trent Tanking and Dayton Valentine in addition to head coach Bill Snyder, will travel to 2017 Big 12 Football Media Days next Tuesday at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Fans can follow media day coverage on K-State Football’s official Twitter handle, @KStateFB, and the Big 12 website, www.big12sports.com. The two-day event will also be televised live from 9 a.m., to 1 p.m., on FOX Sports Regional Networks, including FOX Sports Midwest and FOX Sports Kansas City.
Kanas State begins the 2017 season and seven-game home schedule with the ninth-annual K-State Family Reunion on Saturday, September 2, against Central Arkansas. As K-State draws nearer to running its consecutive sellout streak to 40 games, tickets can be purchased through the K-State Athletics Ticket office online at www.k-statesports.com/tickets, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or at the main ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.