Fifteen ACC players have made the first semifinalist list for the William Campbell Trophy. The award is given out to a player deemed to be the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. So let’s check out the ACC players on the first semifinal Campbell Trophy list.
The ACC List
Craig Woodson, California, Defensive Back
Phil Mafah, Clemson, Running Back
Jordan Moore, Duke, Wide Receiver
Robert Scott Jr., Florida State, Offensive Line
Henry Freer, Georgia Tech, Long Snapper
Ashton Gillotte, Louisville, Defensive Line
J.J. Jones, North Carolina, Wide Receiver
Timothy McKay, NC State, Offensive Line
Terrence Moore, Pitt, Offensive Line
Jake Bailey, SMU, Wide Receiver
Tristan Sinclair, Stanford, Linebacker
Derek McDonald, Syracuse, Linebacker
Brian Stevens, Virginia, Offensive Line
Cole Nelson, Virginia Tech, Defensive Line
Taylor Morin, Wake Forest, Wide Receiver
The Particulars
There are 203 players in the first round of semifinalists for the award. The ACC is tied for second among all conferences for the most nominees. There have been three winners from the conference in the last decade. The most recent one was Christian Wilkins of Clemson in 2018.
In an era where college football players have more years of eligibility, more than half of the first round of semifinalists have already earned their Bachelor’s Degree.
The players are nominated by their schools. All nominees must be in their final year of eligibility in the 2024 season or a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree. They must have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. And per the award committee, they must have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor; and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
The National Football Foundation will narrow the list down to 14 finalists by October 23rd. Each of them gets an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. The winner will be announced in Las Vegas on December 10th.
