36 from FCS are Campbell Trophy semifinalists

(STATS) - A total of 36 players from FCS schools were among the 156 semifinalists announced Wednesday for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes the best football scholar-athlete in the nation.

The list also includes semifinalists from NCAA FBS, Division II and Division III programs as well as NAIA members.

The Campbell Trophy, known as the "Academic Heisman" award and presented by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, is named in honor of the former player and head coach at Columbia University.

A candidate must be a senior or graduate student in his final season of eligibility and have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale. He also must display strong leadership and citizenship.

The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Nov. 1, with each receiving an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. The winner will be announced Dec. 6 at the 59th NFF Annual Awards Dinner in New York and will have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

FCS Semifinalists

Big Sky Conference: Hayden Stout (Idaho State)

Big South Conference: Ben Robinson (Charleston Southern)

CAA Football: Casey DeAndrade (New Hampshire), John Gallagher (Elon), Jalen Randolph (Delaware), Jake Ryder (Towson) and Hunter Windmuller (William & Mary)

Ivy League: Scott Carpenter (Princeton), Nick Demes (Penn), Dakota Girard (Brown), Sebastian Little (Yale) and Max Rich (Harvard)

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference: Ernest Mengoni (Delaware State)

Missouri Valley Football Conference: Dylan Cole (Missouri State), Nathan Knuffman (Western Illinois), Nick Mears (South Dakota State), Chase Morlock (North Dakota State), Karter Schult (Northern Iowa) and Mark Spelman (Illinois State)

Northeast Conference: Lance Geesey (Saint Francis) and Andy Smigiera (Robert Morris)

Ohio Valley Conference: Toby Omli (Murray State), Avery Pitt (Eastern Kentucky) and Trey Salisbury (Austin Peay)

Patriot League: Cary Hess (Bucknell) and Jake Wieczorek (Holy Cross)

Pioneer Football League: Chris Beaschler (Dayton), Davion Belk (Jacksonville), Devyn Bryant (San Diego), Pat DiSalvio (Morehead State), Cameron Gibson (Marist) and Jarrett Ozimek (Campbell)

Southern Conference: Nick Colvin (Wofford), Derrick Craine (Chattanooga), Fred Payne (Western Carolina) and Will Vanvick (The Citadel)