NFF names Smith a semifinalist

IRVING, Texas - Fresno State senior offensive lineman Matt Smith has been named a semifinalist for the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation announced on Wednesday.

The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF) proudly announced today the 176 semifinalists for the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award. The impressive list of candidates boasts an impressive 3.66 average GPA, with more than two-thirds of the semifinalists having already earned their bachelor's degrees.

Smith is one of the semifinalists who have already earned their bachelor's degree, having earned his in Business Administration with an emphasis in Sports Marketing in the fall 2020 semester. He graduated with his bachelor's with a 3.89 cumulative GPA. The senior is currently pursuing his master's of education in curriculum and instruction.

The Long Beach, Calif. native has an impressive academic resume to date, having been a three-time Academic All-Mountain West selection, a 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-District football selection and a Mountain West scholar-athlete in his career.

Smith has been a three-year letterwinner for the 'Dogs. Having blocked for the top offense in the Mountain West in 2020, Smith has been a part of an offensive line unit that has helped the Bulldogs win the 2018 Mountain West Championship and 2018 Las Vegas Bowl. Following the 2018 season, the Bulldogs were ranked No. 18 in the AP and Coaches Poll, and No. 21 in the CFP.

Celebrating its 32nd 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.

Smith is a two-time semifinalist for the award considered by many as the Academic Heisman, after earning the same recognition in 2020. 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.

The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 27, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2021 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the ARIA Resort Casino Las Vegas for the 63rd NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 7, 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 32nd Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

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.

"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.

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NFF names Smith a semifinalist

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