IRVING – Texas Wesleyan University's Ashton Mitchell-Johnson has been named one of 177 semifinalists for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today. The prestigious list, representing all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, showcases candidates with an impressive 3.60 average GPA, with more than half, including 91 nominees, having already earned their bachelor's degrees.
Celebrating its 36th year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes the nation's top football scholar-athlete for exceptional academic achievement, outstanding football performance, and exemplary leadership. Mitchell-Johnson, a senior at Texas Wesleyan, joins an elite group of nominees, including five with a perfect 4.0 GPA, 55 with a 3.8 GPA or better, and 74 with a 3.7 GPA or higher. The semifinalists also include 13 Academic All-America selections, 111 team captains, 20 All-Americans, and 94 all-conference picks.
"This year's 177 semifinalists represent the very best of what it means to play college football," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton and Eli were NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "They have excelled in the classroom, distinguished themselves on the field, and proven to be leaders in their communities."
The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, each receiving an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as part of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. Finalists will be honored at the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 9 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, where one will be named the 36th Campbell Trophy® winner, receiving an increased $25,000 postgraduate scholarship.
Candidates, nominated by their schools, must be seniors completing their final year of eligibility in 2025 or graduate students/transfer students participating in the 2025 season, with a minimum 3.2 GPA, outstanding football ability, and demonstrated leadership and citizenship. The NFF Awards Committee, comprising media, NFF College Football Hall of Famers, and athletics administrators, selects the class.
"We are honored to celebrate such an extraordinary group of student-athletes," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Their accomplishments reflect the lasting impact of our game — building character, discipline, and leadership."
Since 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments, have recognized 938 individuals, distributing over $13.2 million in postgraduate scholarships. The Campbell Trophy®, first awarded in 1990, is named for the late Bill Campbell and is displayed at the New York Athletic Club.
Fidelity Investments, in its 15th year as presenting sponsor, supports the NFF Faculty Salutes, recognizing faculty athletics representatives at finalists' schools with plaques and $5,000 donations for academic support services, totaling $990,000 since the program's start.
For more information on the Campbell Trophy® or to purchase tickets to the NFF Annual Awards Dinner, visit footballfoundation.org.
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 more than 950 recipients since 1935. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA.
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 immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing academic excellence, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the criteria, selection and induction of members of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame museum in Atlanta; Future For Football; I Played; the William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation & the NFF Hatchell Cup presented by Bob's Steak & Chop House; and a series of programs and initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include CAA Executive Search, Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Elite Media Network, Fidelity Investments, Hampshire Companies, Jostens, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, and Shriners Hospitals for Children. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at footballfoundation.org.
