Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Courtney Metzger
Smith named semifinalist for 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy®
10/1/2020 10:00:00 AM | Football
IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced on Thursday the semifinalists for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda. Initially announced a nominee on Aug. 28, Fresno State senior offensive lineman Matt Smith is one of an all-time record 199 semifinalists for the 2020 Campbell Trophy.
As a semifinalist, Smith has an opportunity to receive an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship, which is awarded to each of the 12-to-14 finalists. The winner will receive the coveted 24-pound bronze Campbell Trophy, which comes with a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship and an appearance (virtual this year) on the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.
Smith earned his bachelor's in business administration (sports marketing) last spring with a cumulative undergraduate 3.91 GPA. He's been on the Presidents List (4.0 for semester) six times, named a MW Scholar Athlete twice, named to the Fall Academic All-Mountain West Team twice, and was a 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-District football team selection.
The team captain for four games in 2019, started the first eight games at center for Fresno State last season before suffering a season-ending injury. Entering his senior season, Smith has played in 21 career games.
Smith now has the chance to become the fourth Bulldog to be a finalist for the award better known as the Academic Heisman. Derek Carr in 2013 was the most recent Bulldog selected to the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class while Moses Harris (2009) and Vernon Fox (2001) were the first two Bulldogs to earn the high academic honor.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
Past winners include Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Chad Pennington (Marshall), Tim Tebow (Florida), Sam Acho (Texas), and last year's recipient Justin Herbert from Oregon.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
As a semifinalist, Smith has an opportunity to receive an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship, which is awarded to each of the 12-to-14 finalists. The winner will receive the coveted 24-pound bronze Campbell Trophy, which comes with a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship and an appearance (virtual this year) on the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN.
Smith earned his bachelor's in business administration (sports marketing) last spring with a cumulative undergraduate 3.91 GPA. He's been on the Presidents List (4.0 for semester) six times, named a MW Scholar Athlete twice, named to the Fall Academic All-Mountain West Team twice, and was a 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-District football team selection.
The team captain for four games in 2019, started the first eight games at center for Fresno State last season before suffering a season-ending injury. Entering his senior season, Smith has played in 21 career games.
Smith now has the chance to become the fourth Bulldog to be a finalist for the award better known as the Academic Heisman. Derek Carr in 2013 was the most recent Bulldog selected to the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class while Moses Harris (2009) and Vernon Fox (2001) were the first two Bulldogs to earn the high academic honor.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
Past winners include Peyton Manning (Tennessee), Chad Pennington (Marshall), Tim Tebow (Florida), Sam Acho (Texas), and last year's recipient Justin Herbert from Oregon.
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please visit bulldogfoundation.org.
Players Mentioned
OL
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