Football
NEWS
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) named Illinois linebacker Ryan Meed as a semifinalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy, the organization announced Wednesday.
THE WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY
The Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. This year, a record 203 semifinalists were nominated across all levels of play in the NCAA and NAIA. Each nominee must be a senior who will complete his final year of eligibility during the 2024 season or a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and will participate during the 2024 season; 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.
RYAN MEED | WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY
- Has played in 44 games in his Illini career with 22 total tackles (13 solo), one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick
- Four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree
- Awarded scholarship in 2021 after beginning his career as a walk-on
- Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology (May 2023) and has earned a post-graduate certificate in strategic leadership & management (May 2024)
- Has primarily contributed as a leader on special teams for the Fighting Illini, where he has been a mainstay on the Orange and Blue’s kickoff, kick return, punt, and punt return units
- This season, has recorded seven tackles (three solo), including three total tackles (two solo) in his second-career start in the Illini’s 23-17 win over No. 19-ranked Kansas (9/7/24)
- Made Illinois debut on special teams against Michigan State in 2019 to help Illinois to a 37-34 win in the biggest comeback in program history
- Started his first game at linebacker for the Fighting Illini as a junior in 2023, his fifth year in the program
- Forced the first fumble of his career on the opening…
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