Five Big 12 student-athletes have been named semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, as announced by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation.

Emmanuel Acho (Texas), Tysyn Hartman (Kansas State), Grant Ressel (Missouri), Ryan Tannehill (Texas A&M) and Brandon Weeden (Oklahoma State) have been selected as the best and brightest from the college gridiron. The five are among 127 semifinalists for the award.  

Nominated by their schools, candidates must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.

Two Big 12 athletes have captured the trophy in the award’s past 20 years. Texas’ Dallas Griffin was the 2007 recipient and Texas’ Sam Acho won the honor last year.

The NFF Awards Committee will select up to 16 recipients on Oct. 26. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2011 National Scholar-Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. The winner will be awarded $25,000 in postgraduate scholarship.