Will Shipley's drive to serve others knows no boundaries

The life of a college athlete is incredibly structured and equally as demanding. From predawn workouts to late-night study sessions, they are full-time students with a full-time job. Along with the demands of the sports, they deal with the constant pressures of performing at elite levels.

So, for those athletes to then make time in their schedule to give back to their communities, the drive and the sincerity in their efforts become apparent. Clemson's Will Shipley was recently recognized for such efforts by Allstate and the American Football Coaches Association when they named him to the 2023 Allstate Goodworks Team.

Shipley was one of 22 players named to the team out of 136 nominees. He sat down with us to discuss the nomination and what it means to be recognized for his efforts.

"It was a tremendous feeling, you know, it's something that I've wanted to be a part of, just because of how much I do make it a priority to give back and help my community. So, when Nicole and Ross had come to me, and, you know, let me know that I had been selected, I just had a huge smile on my face. Knowing that it's being recognized, it always feels good to, you know, kind of just be recognized for your good works. And that's exactly what this is doing, so it feels great. And it honestly just motivates me to continue to give back more and more."

Read the full release here.

As mentioned above, it's tough to find time in a student athlete's day-to-day to go out of your way and help others. So how does Shipley find the time?

"The life of a scholar-athlete, especially at Clemson University, your time is very filled, but prioritizing the importance of giving back and like I said the impact that it makes on me anytime that I find time to give back and help the people around me in my community or where I grew up in Charlotte, I always just feel relieved and refreshed myself you know, the mental factor and what I get from it is really why I just continue to prioritize it because I understand that not only is it helping the people that I'm directly helping but it's helping me in return."

Clemson has a proud tradition of creating and carrying on charitable efforts. Head coach Dabo Swinney has cultivated multiple such traditions and his impact and guidance have helped Shipley along his journey.

"Coach Swinney is one of the big reasons why O chose to come to Clemson and, number one, just his spiritual foundation and you're always putting that first but also him going out on a limb to give back I mean, the things that that we do as players the opportunities that that we have, you know, the Breast Cancer Awareness ladies clinic that we do in July is the first thing that comes to mind. I know, his foundation, you know, dives heavy into that because of the people that have been affected people that have been affected like that in his life. So, yeah, just just his willingness to give back is contagious to his players. And the message that that he gives us, you know, every day in team meetings is that you have to serve others in order to serve yourself. And, so it's one of the things that that he not only practices, but he preaches as well."

But the drive to serve didn't start when Shipley arrived at Clemson. It's something his family has instilled in him.

"I think it's just how I was brought up with my family, having an older brother who was always so willing to pave the path for me and give back to me and just all the people that have poured into me and poured into me throughout my life and got me to where I am. I'm not naive to the fact that I wouldn't be here without all the help that I've gotten and the environments that God has put me in... just always want to give back and understanding how blessed I am and wanting to bless others off of that."

You can vote for Will to be the Team Captain at ESPN.com/Allstate, fans can learn more about the players’ accomplishments and vote for the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team ® captain once a day now through Nov. 22. Throughout the season, fans can join the conversation using #GoodWorksTeam on their social media channels to help others learn more about these players and their stories.