RVING, Texas (Oct. 27, 2021) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced the finalists for the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. Montana State’s Troy Andersen was named one of the 13 finalists for the award on Wednesday.
Following his selection as a finalist for the award, Andersen will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2021 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The list was trimmed down from 176 semifinalists nationwide from among all NCAA divisions and the NAIA. Andersen is the only member from the FCS selected as one of the 13 finalists
The finalists will all travel to the 63rd NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 7, where one of them will be named the winner of the 32nd Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. The event will take place at the ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas and will be streamed live, with specific broadcast information to be announced at a later date.
“This is a tremendous and most deserved honor for Troy,” said MSU Director of Athletics Leon Costello. “Troy is an outstanding student, gifted athlete, and consummate leader on and off the field. He is the model representative for Bobcat Football, the athletic department, and Montana State University.”
Submitted by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the Campbell Trophy® 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.
A true utility player, Andersen is a two-time All-American who has lined up at running back, quarterback and now linebacker for Montana State all while maintaining a near-perfect GPA. The Dillon, Montana, native becomes the Bobcats’ fifth NFF National Scholar-Athlete.
A 2019 Academic All-District selection, Andersen graduated in May 2021 with a 3.91 GPA in agricultural business. The two-time Academic All-Big Sky honoree is a member of the MSU President’s and Dean’s lists and plans to pursue an MBA.
Off the field, Andersen has regularly volunteered in Bozeman public schools the last four years, and he has coached youth and high school football camps during the summer. He has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, working on projects in Poland and Montana. He is a leader for Team IMPACT, where he works with youth in Big Timber battling cancer.
The Campbell Trophy® was first awarded in 1990, adding to the program’s prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and seven first-round NFL draft picks.
For the full release from the NFF, click here. For the full release from Montana State, click here.
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2021 William V. Campbell Trophy Finalists
Troy Andersen, LB – Montana State (3.91 GPA – Agricultural Business)
Thomas Booker, DE – Stanford (3.88 GPA – Economics & Communication)
Mike Caliendo, OL – Western Michigan (3.90 GPA – Biomedical Sciences)
Sean Clifford, QB – Penn State (3.45 GPA – Public Relations)
Cameron Dukes, QB – Lindsey Wilson [KY] (3.89 GPA – Physical Education & Health)
Patrick Fields, DB – Oklahoma (3.82 GPA – Accounting)
Matt Henningsen, DE – Wisconsin (4.00 GPA – Electrical Engineering)
Aidan Hutchinson, DE – Michigan (3.54 GPA – Applied Exercise Science)
Joshua King, LB – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy [NY] (3.73 GPA – Marine Engineering)
Charlie Kolar, TE – Iowa State (3.99 GPA – Mechanical Engineering)
Henry Litwin, WR – Slippery Rock [PA] (3.66 GPA – Safety Management)
Sean Mahone, S – West Virginia (3.60 GPA – Management Information Systems)
Grant Morgan, LB – Arkansas (3.66 GPA – Kinesiology)
