Carson Hinzman Named Campbell Trophy Finalist
The Ohio State center is one of 18 finalists recognized for academic excellence and on-field leadership.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Football
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The National Football Foundation has named Ohio State football player Carson Hinzman a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. This honor recognizes Hinzman for his combination of academic achievement, leadership, and performance on the field.
Why it matters
The Campbell Trophy highlights the importance of maintaining scholastic success while competing at the highest level of college athletics. Being named a finalist also grants Hinzman an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as an NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
Hinzman holds a 3.41 GPA and has earned three Academic All-Big Ten selections. He is one of 18 finalists competing for the award, with 24 total players from Ohio State having achieved this NFF honor.
The players
Carson Hinzman
He is an Ohio State football player who was recently recognized as a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
National Football Foundation
This organization promotes amateur football and oversees the selection process for the Campbell Trophy and NFF National Scholar-Athlete awards.
The details
Hinzman graduated from Ohio State in spring 2025 with a degree in sport industry. He remains in the running for the prestigious award, which evaluates nominees based on their contributions to their team and their performance in the classroom.
Timeline
Hinzman graduated from Ohio State in spring 2025.
The NFF announced Hinzman as a finalist on October 21, 2026.
The NFF will announce the winner in Las Vegas on December 8, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This recognition cements Hinzman as a standout scholar-athlete within the competitive landscape of the Big Ten. It serves as a significant accolade for the Ohio State program, maintaining their historical standing as a consistent producer of NFF-recognized talent.
Hinzman becomes the 24th player in Ohio State history to receive the NFF National Scholar-Athlete award. This distinction adds to his resume of three Ohio State Scholar-Athlete honors and three Academic All-Big Ten selections.
The takeaway
The nomination underscores that elite collegiate athletes can sustain high-level academic performance alongside rigorous athletic schedules. Students looking to emulate this success should prioritize consistent long-term academic engagement to qualify for similar postgraduate funding opportunities.
What happens next
The National Football Foundation will announce the winner of the William V. Campbell Trophy during an awards dinner held in Las Vegas on December 8, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the current status of the program, read the Football section.
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