Alabama’s junior tight end O.J. Howard was nominated for the 2015 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Thursday, according to 247 Sports and Montgomery Advertiser.

The award is an esteemed off the field honor in college football, and an all-time high of 197 individuals have been recognized for the prize in 2015.

In two seasons at Alabama, Howard has done much work in the community both locally and across the region. He’s devoted time to youth at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, Ala., and in New Orleans, La. Howard is never too busy to come home.

He returns to Prattville, Ala., often to work closely with the Field of Dreams organization, building softball and baseball field for special needs children. Howard has developed relationships with children at Davis Emerson Middle School and Verner Elementary.

He has served as a mentor at Rock Quarry Middle School, and takes part in Alabama’s “Read Bama Read” initiatives on campus. He and teammate Reggie Ragland both have made visits to the Tuscaloosa VA hospital to encourage veterans.

The final roster for the Allstate AFCA Good works team will be cut to 22 semifinalist in September.

Stephen M. Smith is a staff writer and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.

Stephen M. Smith

Stephen Smith is a 2015 graduate of the University of Alabama. He is a senior writer and reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. He has covered Alabama football for 15 years and his knowledge and coverage of the Crimson Tide's program have made him among the most respected journalist in his field. Smith has been featured on ESPN and several other marquee outlets as an analyst.