FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla.-Wednesday morning, BYU junior offensive lineman James Empey was named one of 12 semifinalists for the prestigious Wuerffel trophy.

Named in honor of Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman trophy-winning quarterback for the University of Florida, this trophy honors college football players who serve others, celebrate their positive impact on society and inspire greater service in the world.

Empey has primarily served others via volunteer work in the community. He has assisted with BYU head coach Kalani Sitake’s More To Life foundation in California and New York.

A graduate of American Fork High School, Empey has contributed to the community in his native Utah through the My Tiny Hero program, raising awareness for congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

Empey is joined nationally by these other 11 semifinalists:

Boise State senior defensive back Kekaula Kaniho

Mississippi State senior receiver Austin Williams

Penn State senior quarterback Sean Clifford

Stanford senior quarterback Isaiah Sanders

California senior defensive back Elijah Hicks

Georgia junior linebacker Nakobe Dean

Mississippi senior punter Mac Brown

Oklahoma senior defensive back Patrick Fields

USC senior quarterback Mo Hasan

Virginia Tech junior offensive lineman Brock Hoffman

Western Michigan senior offensive lineman Mike Caliendo

Finalists for this award will be announced November 22.

The formal announcement of the recipient will be made December 9.