NFF Release
IRVING, Texas -- Allegheny College senior receiver Declan O'Brien was named a semifinalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy®, as announced by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame on Wednesday morning.
The William V. Campbell Trophy®, considered college football's premier scholar-athlete award, "recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership."
One of the best wide receivers in the country, O'Brien is one of 201 semifinalists across all levels of college football - an NFF record - and is one of only 48 from Division III. O'Brien, who has earned Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Offensive Player of the Week and D3football.com Team of the Week accolades so far this season, ranks second in the nation in receptions per game (10.5) and receiving yards (614), and is third in receiving yards per game (153.5). He ranks third all-time in Allegheny history in receiving yards and will soon become just the third Gator to reach 2,000 career receiving yards.
In the classroom, O'Brien is an economics major with a minor in geology. A PAC Academic Honor Roll selection, he is a two-time Alden Scholar and was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society last spring.
To be eligible for the Campbell Trophy®, a student-athlete must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a minimum GPA of 3.20, have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
The NFF will announce the finalists for the Campbell Trophy® on October 25. Each finalist will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. One member of the class will be named the winner of the 34th Campbell Trophy® at the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas on December 6. The winner will have their scholarship increased to $25,000.
Allegheny has had a semifinalist on the watch list in each of the past three seasons. Tight end Jack Parker '22 was chosen in 2021, and linebacker Hudson Alread '23 was included in 2022.
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 scholarship, citizenship and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the selection and induction of members of the College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; The William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Award; and a series of initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Jostens, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the New York Athletic Club, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @NFFNetwork, and learn more at 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 the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.