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Jared Casey Named a Semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy
9/25/2024 2:20:00 PM | Football
LAWRENCE, Kan. – Kansas senior tight end Jared Casey is among a record number of 203 semifinalists for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award. The list was announced Wednesday by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame.
This is the second award to recognize Casey, who was previously named to watch list for the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy, which honors student-athletes who are inspired to serve others and make positive impacts on society.
Celebrating its 35th 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 impressive list of candidates, from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, boasts an impressive 3.63 average GPA, with more than half of the semifinalists having already earned their bachelor's degrees.
Casey has appeared in 39 games as a Jayhawk, ascending to the starting spot at tight end, where he has made six consecutive starts and 19 in his career. He burst into the spotlight in 2021 as a redshirt-freshman as he hauled in the game-winning two-point conversion in KU's 57-56 overtime victory at Texas. Since then, Casey has been a valued blocker and a reliable pass catcher for the Jayhawks, totaling 39 receptions for 471 yards and eight touchdowns in his career.
A native of Plainville, Kansas, Casey is a two-time Collegiate Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team selection. Last season he was nominated for the Burlsworth Trophy, which is presented annually to the most outstanding player in FBS football who began his career as a walk-on. Additionally, Casey is an active participant in community service efforts for the Jayhawks, who compiled 466 hours as a team during the summer of 2024.
The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 23, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 10. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 35th 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 who will complete his final year of eligibility in the 2024 season or graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and participating in the 2024 season; 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.
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 nine first-round NFL draft picks. Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the trophy has been prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club since 2013, and the winner is honored each year during a special luncheon at the storied venue.
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