SEARCY — Harding University senior fullback Andrew Miller has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy®, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced Wednesday.
Recognized as college football's premier scholar-athlete award and commonly known as the "Academic Heisman," the Campbell Trophy® celebrates its 37th year honoring the nation's absolute best football scholar-athlete for combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.
Miller is one of a record 206 semifinalists across all divisions of college football (FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA), surpassing the previous record of 204 nominees set in 2024. He is one of just 19 student-athletes selected from NCAA Division II and one of only two nominees from the Great American Conference.
To be nominated by their respective institutions—which are permitted only one candidate each—student-athletes must be in their final year of eligibility or pursuing graduate study, maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.20 on a 4.0 scale, possess outstanding football ability as a starter or significant contributor, and demonstrate exemplary leadership and citizenship.
A kinesiology major and returning First-Team College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American, Miller exemplifies the balance of athletic and academic excellence. The Searcy, Arkansas native currently anchors the backfield for the second-ranked Bisons (3-0), leading an offense that ranks No. 1 nationally in rushing (457.0 yards per game).
Miller enters Week 4 as the active leader in NCAA Division II in career rushing yards (3,962), rushing touchdowns (55), total touchdowns (55), points scored (330), and yards per carry average (7.3). Across all NCAA divisions (FBS, FCS, D-II, and D-III), Miller ranks second among active players in career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
Last fall, Miller finished as the national runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, captured the Darren McFadden Award as the top collegiate player in Arkansas, and earned consensus First-Team All-America honors after rushing for a school-record 2,048 yards and 28 touchdowns to lead Harding to an appearance in the NCAA Division II National Championship game.
"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."
Collectively, this year's 206 semifinalists hold an average GPA of 3.64 and feature 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans, 20 Academic All-Americans, and 98 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
"These 206 semifinalists represent the power of football to develop leaders well beyond the field," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "The game challenges young men to compete, lead and pursue excellence, and these candidates have embraced those values in the classroom, on the field and in their communities. They exemplify the kind of leaders the NFF has sought to recognize and develop throughout its history."
The NFF will announce 12 to 16 finalists on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Each finalist will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8, where one finalist will be declared the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship elevated to $25,000.
Miller and the consensus No. 2-ranked Bisons travel to Arkadelphia, Arkansas, this Saturday, Sept. 26, to take on Great American Conference rival Ouachita Baptist at Cliff Harris Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
