Only the best student-athletes in college football are considered for the William V. Campbell trophy -- and, in senior tight end Michael Harding, Hillsdale has one of them.
The Campbell Trophy, awarded annually by the National Football Foundation, is considered by many to be the "Academic" Heisman and one of the most prestigious honors a college football player can receive. Celebrating its 34th year, the Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
Harding is one of a record 201 semifinalists from all classifications of college football under consideration for the Campbell Trophy. That group is an impressive collection of student-athletes, with a 3.65 average GPA, 24 Academic All-American selections, 24 All-American selections, and 108 All-Conference picks.
"These 201 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "During the past seven decades, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards have recognized 906 college football players who excelled as the best our great sport has to offer. This year's semifinalists build on the tradition, further illustrating the power of football to develop the next generation of influential leaders."
The senior from Livonia, Michigan fits in well with the list of nominees. A three-time All-G-MAC honoree, Harding has been one of the team's top receiving threats over the course of his career, finishing as one of the Chargers' top three receivers in both 2021 and 2022 and posting 523 yards and seven touchdowns on 62 catches. Along with being a huge threat in the passing game Harding also is one of the team's best blockers up front, paving the way for several strong Hillsdale rushing attacks over the course of his career.
As impressive as he's been on the field, Harding arguably has been more of a standout in the classroom. A Financial Management major at Hillsdale College, Harding has carried a 3.9 or better GPA throughout his entire time at Hillsdale, and earned Hillsdale's President's Scholar-Athlete Award multiple times, Academic All-G-MAC honors four times, and CSC Academic All-District honors for the 2022 season. He was also the recipient of the Hillsdale College football team's Leonard Urbanik Award for Scholarship, Leadership and Ability for the 2022 season.
He's also been a leader in the community, helping with the Hillsdale College football team's Victory Day event for special needs children, Be the Match bone marrow registry drive, and with Hillsdale's youth football camps annually, while also helping to run the football team's weekly bible study.
The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 25, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 65th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 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 34th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
Hillsdale's last Campbell Trophy finalist was quarterback Mark Nicolet, who was recognized in 2008.
Click here to read the NFF Press Release and see the full list of nominees.