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Craycraft a Semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy
9/23/2026 3:00:00 PM | Football
IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced Wednesday that Duke starting center Matt Craycraft has been selected as a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy.
Celebrating its 37th year, the Campbell Trophy ® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists Oct. 21, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
In December of 2014, Duke won the first William V. Campbell Trophy in program history as former linebacker David Helton took home the prestigious honor.
"Every year, I'm amazed by what these young men are able to accomplish," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "Playing college football takes an enormous commitment and to perform at a high level on the field while also excelling in the classroom and serving as a leader on campus is something special. These 206 semifinalists have a lot to be proud of and it's a privilege to recognize their accomplishments."
Craycraft, a native of Dallas, Texas, in his third season as a starter with the Blue Devils. A team captain, he has started all three games this season and is helping Duke's offensive line tie for sixth nationally with its 2.33 tackles for loss per game allowed and fourth with its 12 total yards lost, trailing only Miami (six), Air Force (10) and Illinois (11). Craycraft has also opened holes and provided space for the nation's leading rusher, Nate Sheppard, to gain 528 ground yards and 176.00 yards per contest already this fall.Â
In 2025, Craycraft helped Duke to its first outright ACC title since 1962 with a thrilling 27-20 overtime victory against No. 16 Virginia. The starter at center for all 14 games, Craycraft was a key piece of the Blue Devil offensive attack that set the program records for total touchdowns scored (63), points scored (484) and pass efficiency (152.53). His work with the offensive unit allowed it to become the first in school history to have a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard receiver and 1,000-yard rusher.
In the classroom, Craycraft is a three-time Academic All-ACC selection (2023-24-25) and two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree (2024-25). During the fall 2025 semester, he was a member of the Duke Dean's List. Craycraft graduated in May 2026 with a degree in economics and a certificate in markets and management and is pursuing a master of management studies in Duke's Fuqua School of Business.
The 206 semifinalists, each nominated as their school's sole nominee and best all-around student-athlete on their respective teams, represent every NCAA division and the NAIA. The group is the largest in the history of the award, eclipsing the previous record of 204 set in 2024. Collectively, the semifinalists boast a 3.64 average GPA and include 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans and 98 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
The Campbell Trophy® was first awarded in 1990, adding to the prestige of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards. Past Campbell Trophy® recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and ten first-round NFL Draft picks.Â
The past recipients of the Campbell Trophy® include:
1990 – Chris Howard (Air Force)
1991 – Brad Culpepper (Florida)
1992 – Jim Hansen (Colorado)
1993 – Thomas Burns (Virginia)
1994 – Rob Zatechka (Nebraska)
1995 – Bobby Hoying (Ohio State)
1996 – Danny Wuerffel (Florida)
1997 – Peyton Manning (Tennessee)
1998 – Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia)
1999 – Chad Pennington (Marshall)
2000 – Kyle Vanden Bosch (Nebraska)
2001 – Joaquin Gonzalez (Miami [FL])
2002 – Brandon Roberts (Washington U. in St. Louis [Mo.])
2003 – Craig Krenzel (Ohio State)
2004 – Michael Munoz (Tennessee)
2005 – Rudy Niswanger (LSU)
2006 – Brian Leonard (Rutgers)
2007 – Dallas Griffin (Texas)
2008 – Alex Mack (California)
2009 – Tim Tebow (Florida)
2010 – Sam Acho (Texas)
2011 – Andrew Rodriguez (Army West Point)
2012 – Barrett Jones (Alabama)
2013 – John Urschel (Penn State)
2014 – David Helton (Duke)
2015 – Ty Darlington (Oklahoma)
2016 – Zach Terrell (Western Michigan)
2017 – Micah Kiser (Virginia)
2018 – Christian Wilkins (Clemson)
2019 – Justin Herbert (Oregon)
2020 – Brady White (Memphis)
2021 – Charlie Kolar (Iowa State)
2022 – Jack Campbell (Iowa)
2023 – Bo Nix (Oregon)
2024 – Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
2025 – Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)
ABOUT FIDELITY INVESTMENTS
Fidelity's goal is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. Fidelity's strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $19.9 trillion, including managed assets of $7.8 trillion as of June 30, 2026, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 80 years, Fidelity employs more than 80,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company.
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About The National College Football Awards Association
The William V. Campbell Trophy® is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik, and journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) is a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of amateur football to build leaders. With 120 chapters in 47 states, the NFF oversees initiatives such as the NFF College Hall of Fame, the NFF William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments®, Future For Football, and I Played. Learn more at footballfoundation.org and follow @NFFNetwork on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
#GoDuke
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Celebrating its 37th year, the Campbell Trophy ® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists Oct. 21, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
In December of 2014, Duke won the first William V. Campbell Trophy in program history as former linebacker David Helton took home the prestigious honor.
"Every year, I'm amazed by what these young men are able to accomplish," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "Playing college football takes an enormous commitment and to perform at a high level on the field while also excelling in the classroom and serving as a leader on campus is something special. These 206 semifinalists have a lot to be proud of and it's a privilege to recognize their accomplishments."
Craycraft, a native of Dallas, Texas, in his third season as a starter with the Blue Devils. A team captain, he has started all three games this season and is helping Duke's offensive line tie for sixth nationally with its 2.33 tackles for loss per game allowed and fourth with its 12 total yards lost, trailing only Miami (six), Air Force (10) and Illinois (11). Craycraft has also opened holes and provided space for the nation's leading rusher, Nate Sheppard, to gain 528 ground yards and 176.00 yards per contest already this fall.Â
In 2025, Craycraft helped Duke to its first outright ACC title since 1962 with a thrilling 27-20 overtime victory against No. 16 Virginia. The starter at center for all 14 games, Craycraft was a key piece of the Blue Devil offensive attack that set the program records for total touchdowns scored (63), points scored (484) and pass efficiency (152.53). His work with the offensive unit allowed it to become the first in school history to have a 3,000-yard passer, 1,000-yard receiver and 1,000-yard rusher.
In the classroom, Craycraft is a three-time Academic All-ACC selection (2023-24-25) and two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honoree (2024-25). During the fall 2025 semester, he was a member of the Duke Dean's List. Craycraft graduated in May 2026 with a degree in economics and a certificate in markets and management and is pursuing a master of management studies in Duke's Fuqua School of Business.
The 206 semifinalists, each nominated as their school's sole nominee and best all-around student-athlete on their respective teams, represent every NCAA division and the NAIA. The group is the largest in the history of the award, eclipsing the previous record of 204 set in 2024. Collectively, the semifinalists boast a 3.64 average GPA and include 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans and 98 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
The Campbell Trophy® was first awarded in 1990, adding to the prestige of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards. Past Campbell Trophy® recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and ten first-round NFL Draft picks.Â
The past recipients of the Campbell Trophy® include:
1990 – Chris Howard (Air Force)
1991 – Brad Culpepper (Florida)
1992 – Jim Hansen (Colorado)
1993 – Thomas Burns (Virginia)
1994 – Rob Zatechka (Nebraska)
1995 – Bobby Hoying (Ohio State)
1996 – Danny Wuerffel (Florida)
1997 – Peyton Manning (Tennessee)
1998 – Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia)
1999 – Chad Pennington (Marshall)
2000 – Kyle Vanden Bosch (Nebraska)
2001 – Joaquin Gonzalez (Miami [FL])
2002 – Brandon Roberts (Washington U. in St. Louis [Mo.])
2003 – Craig Krenzel (Ohio State)
2004 – Michael Munoz (Tennessee)
2005 – Rudy Niswanger (LSU)
2006 – Brian Leonard (Rutgers)
2007 – Dallas Griffin (Texas)
2008 – Alex Mack (California)
2009 – Tim Tebow (Florida)
2010 – Sam Acho (Texas)
2011 – Andrew Rodriguez (Army West Point)
2012 – Barrett Jones (Alabama)
2013 – John Urschel (Penn State)
2014 – David Helton (Duke)
2015 – Ty Darlington (Oklahoma)
2016 – Zach Terrell (Western Michigan)
2017 – Micah Kiser (Virginia)
2018 – Christian Wilkins (Clemson)
2019 – Justin Herbert (Oregon)
2020 – Brady White (Memphis)
2021 – Charlie Kolar (Iowa State)
2022 – Jack Campbell (Iowa)
2023 – Bo Nix (Oregon)
2024 – Jalen Milroe (Alabama)
2025 – Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt)
ABOUT FIDELITY INVESTMENTS
Fidelity's goal is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. Fidelity's strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $19.9 trillion, including managed assets of $7.8 trillion as of June 30, 2026, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 80 years, Fidelity employs more than 80,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company.
Â
About The National College Football Awards Association
The William V. Campbell Trophy® is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football's most prestigious awards. The NCFAA's 25 awards have honored nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
Â
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik, and journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) is a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of amateur football to build leaders. With 120 chapters in 47 states, the NFF oversees initiatives such as the NFF College Hall of Fame, the NFF William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments®, Future For Football, and I Played. Learn more at footballfoundation.org and follow @NFFNetwork on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
#GoDuke
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