Sep 23 | Football
IRVING, Texas (SMU) – Senior offensive lineman Joshua Bates was named a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy, the NFF and College Hall of Fame announced Tuesday.
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Celebrating its 37th 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.
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The 206 semifinalists, each nominated as their school's sole nominee and best all-around student-athlete on their respective teams, represent every NCAA division and the NAIA. The group is the largest in the history of the award, eclipsing the previous record of 204 set in 2024. Collectively, the semifinalists boast a 3.64 average GPA and include 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans and 98 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
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Bates is a staple in the classroom, the community and on the field. As the field general of the offensive line, Bates' group has helped the Mustangs to 537.0 yards per game in total offense, ranking second in the ACC and fifth in the country. At 368.7 yards per game through the air, SMU sits atop the conference and No. 2 nationally.
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The Colorado native is also a participant in the Bear Bryant Awards Leaders of Impact (LOI) initiative. Through the Bear Bryant Awards and the American Heart Association, players step into a national leadership role – using their platform, influence and competitive spirit to champion heart health and CPR awareness.
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ABOUT FIDELITY INVESTMENTS
Fidelity's goal is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. Fidelity's strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $19.9 trillion, including managed assets of $7.8 trillion as of June 30, 2026, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 80 years, Fidelity employs more than 80,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company.
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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 nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
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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 journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) is a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of amateur football to build leaders. With 120 chapters in 47 states, the NFF oversees initiatives such as the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, the William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments, Future For Football, and I Played. Learn more at footballfoundation.org and follow @NFFNetwork on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
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Celebrating its 37th 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.
Â
The 206 semifinalists, each nominated as their school's sole nominee and best all-around student-athlete on their respective teams, represent every NCAA division and the NAIA. The group is the largest in the history of the award, eclipsing the previous record of 204 set in 2024. Collectively, the semifinalists boast a 3.64 average GPA and include 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans and 98 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
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Bates is a staple in the classroom, the community and on the field. As the field general of the offensive line, Bates' group has helped the Mustangs to 537.0 yards per game in total offense, ranking second in the ACC and fifth in the country. At 368.7 yards per game through the air, SMU sits atop the conference and No. 2 nationally.
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The Colorado native is also a participant in the Bear Bryant Awards Leaders of Impact (LOI) initiative. Through the Bear Bryant Awards and the American Heart Association, players step into a national leadership role – using their platform, influence and competitive spirit to champion heart health and CPR awareness.
Â
ABOUT FIDELITY INVESTMENTS
Fidelity's goal is to strengthen the financial well-being of our customers and deliver better outcomes for the clients and businesses we serve. Fidelity's strength comes from the scale of our diversified, market-leading financial services businesses that serve individuals, families, employers, wealth management firms, and institutions. With assets under administration of $19.9 trillion, including managed assets of $7.8 trillion as of June 30, 2026, we focus on meeting the unique needs of a broad and growing customer base. Privately held for 80 years, Fidelity employs more than 80,000 associates across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. For more information about Fidelity Investments, visit https://www.fidelity.com/about-fidelity/our-company.
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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 nearly 1,000 recipients since 1935. For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
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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 journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) is a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of amateur football to build leaders. With 120 chapters in 47 states, the NFF oversees initiatives such as the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, the William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments, Future For Football, and I Played. Learn more at footballfoundation.org and follow @NFFNetwork on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
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Players Mentioned
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