Dunker Named to Wuerffel Award Watch List
July 31st, 2025 by Jack McGonigal
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior offensive tackle Gennings Dunker has been named to the 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, the Wuerffel Foundation announced Thursday.
Dunker (6-foot-5, 315 pounds) started 11 contests as a junior and was a dominant force on the right side of Iowa’s offensive line that was recognized as a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award in 2024. The Lena, Illinois, native was a second-team all-conference honoree, as well as an Academic All-District selection. Dunker, who is also a candidate for the 2025 Outland Trophy, helped pave the way for Iowa’s offense rushing for more than 200 yards in seven games last season.
Now in its 21st season, the Allstate Wuerfel Trophy is college football’s premier award for community service. The trophy is named after Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from the University of Florida who parlayed his success on the football field into a lifetime of service and humanitarianism.
Dunker has spent several hours volunteering at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Safe Haven Animal Shelter, Legacy Pointe Senior Living Center and Iowa City Regina High School. The human physiology major is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, two-time Academic All-District selection and three-time Presidential Committee on Athletics medallion recipient.
The 2025 Allstate Wuerffel Trophy finalists and recipient will be selected by a national voting committee along with a fan vote component. The winner will be announced on Dec. 12th. The Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Presentation Gala will take place Jan. 31, 2026, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The award recipient will be invited to join Danny Wuerffel in New York City to attend the Heisman Trophy ceremonies, including the press conference, televised announcement show and gala.
The Hawkeyes open the season Aug. 30, hosting UAlbany inside Kinnick Stadium beginning at 5 p.m. (CT).