The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Jacob Fuqua Named Semifinalist for William V. Campbell Trophy®
10/1/2020 5:11:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Senior long snapper has been named a semifinalist for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda, which is presented by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame as college football's premier scholar-athlete award.
Fuqua is one of a record 199 semifinalists from the FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III levels, and one of just eight players from Conference USA on the list.
The NFF will announce 12-to-14 finalists in November, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. Later this year, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 31st Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda, having his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
Fuqua has been a tremendous asset for the Blazers both on the field and in the classroom since his arrival in 2016. He is currently a 4.0 student earning a Master's of Education and finished his undergraduate degree with a 3.69 GPA in History.
On the field, he has established himself as one of the best long snappers in the nation as a four-year starter. Through three games this season, Fuqua has two tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Additionally, UAB is perfect on special teams, going 14-of-14 on PAT, 1-of-1 on FG and owning a 43.1 yards per punt average.
"This is terrific news. To set a record for the number of Campbell nominees is extra special during the pandemic because it shows how the stature of the award continues to rise even during these challenging times," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "We have worked hard to expand the profile of the award, and it's extremely gratifying to have so many schools participate this year with nominations. We believe it sends an important message to the younger student-athletes that you truly can do it all, succeeding on the field, in the classroom and as leaders in the community."
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing 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, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments celebrate their 62nd year in 2020. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player's academic and athletic accomplishments, and the NFF has recognized 866 outstanding individuals since the program's inception. This year's postgraduate scholarships will push the program's all-time distribution to more than $11.9 million. The trophy was first awarded in 1990, adding to the program's prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and seven first-round NFL draft picks.
Fuqua and the Blazers are back in action this Saturday, Oct. 3, versus UTSA at Legion Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CST.
Fuqua is one of a record 199 semifinalists from the FBS, FCS, Division II and Division III levels, and one of just eight players from Conference USA on the list.
The NFF will announce 12-to-14 finalists in November, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. Later this year, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 31st Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda, having his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
Fuqua has been a tremendous asset for the Blazers both on the field and in the classroom since his arrival in 2016. He is currently a 4.0 student earning a Master's of Education and finished his undergraduate degree with a 3.69 GPA in History.
On the field, he has established himself as one of the best long snappers in the nation as a four-year starter. Through three games this season, Fuqua has two tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Additionally, UAB is perfect on special teams, going 14-of-14 on PAT, 1-of-1 on FG and owning a 43.1 yards per punt average.
"This is terrific news. To set a record for the number of Campbell nominees is extra special during the pandemic because it shows how the stature of the award continues to rise even during these challenging times," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "We have worked hard to expand the profile of the award, and it's extremely gratifying to have so many schools participate this year with nominations. We believe it sends an important message to the younger student-athletes that you truly can do it all, succeeding on the field, in the classroom and as leaders in the community."
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing 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, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments celebrate their 62nd year in 2020. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player's academic and athletic accomplishments, and the NFF has recognized 866 outstanding individuals since the program's inception. This year's postgraduate scholarships will push the program's all-time distribution to more than $11.9 million. The trophy was first awarded in 1990, adding to the program's prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and seven first-round NFL draft picks.
Fuqua and the Blazers are back in action this Saturday, Oct. 3, versus UTSA at Legion Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CST.
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