NFF Names 18 Finalists for Campbell Trophy

The National Football Foundation recognizes collegiate standouts for their academic, athletic, and leadership achievements.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football

NFF Names 18 Finalists for Campbell Trophy

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The National Football Foundation has announced 18 finalists for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy. These student-athletes are set to be inducted into the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class.

Why it matters

The Campbell Trophy honors the top football scholar-athlete in the nation, highlighting the balance between high-level athletic performance and academic success. This recognition serves as a hallmark of excellence for student-athletes across all divisions of college football.

Each of the 18 finalists receives an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. Among the group, notable performance metrics include Gunner Stockton's 74.1% completion percentage and defensive efforts like Ty Bryant's 53 tackles.

The players

National Football Foundation

This organization is a non-profit dedicated to promoting amateur football and honoring those who play and coach the sport.

Gunner Stockton

He is a collegiate athlete recognized as a finalist for his performance on the field and in the classroom.

Ty Bryant

He is a standout defensive player and finalist who recorded 53 tackles this season.

Arion Carter

He is a collegiate football player named a finalist who contributed 43 tackles to his team's effort.

Bray Hubbard

He is a finalist recognized for his contributions to his team, including recording 36 tackles.

The details

Finalists are selected based on a combination of academic success, football performance, and leadership qualities within their respective teams. Six of the honorees represent institutions from the SEC, reflecting the conference's significant presence in the 2026 finalist pool.

The Campbell Trophy finalists were announced on Wednesday.
Finalists will be recognized as part of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class.

The Big Picture

The announcement of these finalists continues the tradition of the William V. Campbell Trophy in identifying elite collegiate scholar-athletes. The award reinforces the standard that athletic success should be paired with consistent academic excellence.

The recognition highlights key performers like Gunner Stockton and Ty Bryant, whose season statistics are currently being utilized by analysts to evaluate their impact on the field. Fantasy participants and scouts will continue to monitor these players as they represent their respective institutions.

The takeaway

The selection of these finalists underscores the importance of maintaining high academic standards while competing in collegiate sports. Aspiring student-athletes can view this honor as a benchmark for achieving success in both their educational and athletic pursuits.