From K-State Athletics
Kansas State senior right tackle Dalton Risner earned one of the most prestigious honors among FBS players on Wednesday as he was selected as a member of the 2018 National Football Foundation (NFF) National Scholar-Athlete Class and a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
Risner is one of just 13 players nationally – including eight from FBS schools and the lone Big 12 representative – that were named a finalist from a list of 179 semifinalists. The Wiggins, Colorado, product is also just the sixth Wildcat in school history to be named a finalist and the first since Tyler Lockett in 2014.
“I am extremely honored to be named a finalist for this prestigious award,” Risner said. “There are countless people that have helped me strive to become the best player, student and member of the community throughout my time at K-State. The list starts with my parents, Coach Snyder, Coach Dickey and my teammates, but certainly extends to those in the community that have touched my life – Michael, Kayden, Joan and many others.”
By being named a finalist, Risner will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and be honored at the 61st NFF Annual Awards Dinner in New York City on December 4. One of the 13 finalists will be announced at the dinner as the 29th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best student-athlete in the nation.
“We are extremely proud to announce the finalists for this year’s Campbell Trophy, who make up the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “These young men have an unrelenting commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives, and they represent all that is right in college football. They serve as living examples that Football Matters, and we are excited to honor their hard work and accomplishments with postgraduate scholarships.”
In its 60th year of existence, the William V. Campbell Trophy criteria states a player must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2, have outstanding football ability and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
