IRVING, Texas (NFF/SMU) – SMU wide receiver Jake Bailey has been tabbed as a semifinalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced on Wednesday.

The award, celebrating its 35th year, recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

Bailey has tallied nine receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown so far this season. Prior to the season, he was named to the Reese's Senior Bowl watch list. The San Clemente, California, native has also earned a spot on the honor roll multiple times in his collegiate career.

A total of 203 semifinalists were recognized for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy, college football's premier scholar-athlete award, including 95 nominees from the NCAA FBS level. The new record mark eclipsed the 201 nominees in 2023. 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.

The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on October 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 December 10, 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 35th Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

A total of 15 ACC student-athletes were named to the list, which is tied for the second most among all FBS conferences.