Irving, Texas - October 1, 2026 - The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame recently announced a record 206 semifinalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award. 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.
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.
"Every year, I'm amazed by what these young men are able to accomplish," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "Playing college football takes an enormous commitment, and to perform at a high level on the field while also excelling in the classroom and serving as a leader on campus is something special. These 206 semifinalists have a lot to be proud of, and it's a privilege to recognize their accomplishments."
This year, the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) had two semifinalists for the 2026 Campbell Trophy in Merchant Marine’s Aidan Graham (Allen, Texas) and Springfield College’s Tyler Sordillo (Hull, Mass.). In fact the duo were two of nine selections from the New England region this year.
Graham, a marine engineering and shipyard management major with a 3.38 grade point average, was an All-NEWMAC First Team selection in 2025 and has appeared in 25 career contests through week four of the 2026 season. This fall, Graham leads the Mariners in total tackles with 18 and has also produced four tackles for a loss as Merchant Marine has began its slate with a 3-0 record.
During his time with the program, Graham and the Mariners have gone 23-9 overall and 14-8 in NEWMAC play. Merchant Marine has made two bowl game appearances including winning the 2025 Fusion Bowl and has won a pair of Secretaries Cup titles over Coast Guard, including the 2025 cup, which was played at historic Fenway Park.
Off the field, Graham has distinguished himself as a leader within the Regiment of Midshipmen. He currently serves as 5th Company Watch Officer and previously served as 5th Company Fitness Petty Officer. He was also a member of the Indoctrination Cadre for the Class of 2029, helping train and mentor incoming plebe candidates, and received the Outstanding Performance and Leadership Award for 5th Company during Indoctrination.
Sordillo, an applied exercise science major with a 3.60 grade point average, was an All-American and Academic All-American in 2025. He was selected as the NEWMAC’s Defensive Athlete of the Year and as the Eastern College Athletic Conference’s (ECAC) Defensive Player of the Year after the Pride won their fifth straight conference championship. The defensive lineman has appeared in 30 career games through week four of the 2026 season. This fall, the senior has totaled 23 tackles and has also produced five tackles for a loss and three sacks.
During his time with the program, Sordillo and the Pride have gone 33-7 overall and 22-0 in NEWMAC play. Springfield has won five consecutive NEWMAC titles and made three appearances in the NCAA Championship Tournament, including a national quarterfinal appearance in 2024 with Sordillo on the roster.
Off the field, Sordillo is part of the NMDP (formerly Be The Match) donor registry, an organization dedicated to saving lives through cell therapy and bone marrow transplantation and is engaged in leadership roles across Springfield’s campus.
Springfield and Merchant Marine will meet on the football field on October 24 in Kings Point with kickoff slated for 12pm. Both squads head into their second conference contest on Saturday with a 1-0 mark in NEWMAC play. The Pride will travel to Salve Regina, while Merchant Marine will travel to MIT.
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 13 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Saint Anselm College (beginning reclassification process with NCAA in 2027-28), Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with seven Associate Members: New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 21 sports.