Maryland football safety Dante Trader Jr. named national community service award nominee

This is a Maryland Minute, a short story followed by a roundup of Terps-related news.

Maryland football safety Dante Trader Jr. was named an Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team nominee, it was announced Wednesday.

The award, established in 1992, recognizes college football athletes for their commitment to community service and their “good works” off the field, with a focus on mental health awareness, youth mentorship and many more this year.

Each player must also maintain strong academic standing to be considered for a spot on the good works team.

Trader co-hosts the One Speed Podcast, which addresses topics beyond football. As well, he helped organize and lead the One Speed Backpack Drive last year, raising more than $10,000 for it and supplying more than 200 backpacks for J.C. Nalle Elementary School in Washington, D.C. He also frequently works with underprivileged youth in the DMV area, per Maryland Athletics.

In his three years in College Park, Trader has recorded 131 tackles (86 solo) and four interceptions across 25 games.

Of the 178 nominees, 23 will receive the award, which will be announced in September.

In other news

Maryland football players Gottlieb Ayedze, Ja’Quan Sheppard and Beau Brade were selected in the 2024 United Football League Draft Wednesday.

Maryland football released its home uniform schedule Wednesday.

Maryland field hockey player Rayne Wright earned a gold medal in the Senior Nexus Championship.

Seven Maryland track and field/cross country student-athletes were named U.S. Track & Field And Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic.