Tag: William V Campbell Trophy

Texas QB Sam Ehlinger named finalist for William V. Campbell Trophy

On Thursday the National Football Foundation named Texas Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger a finalist for the William V. Campbell trophy.

The Texas Longhorns have a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. Former defensive end Sam Acho won the award in 2010. One decade later they could have another Sam win the trophy with the quarterback Ehlinger. The National Football Foundation released their finalist for the “Academic Heisman.”

The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the finalists for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda – college football’s premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
The 12 finalists will each 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 the winner of the 31st William V. Campbell Trophy® Presented by Mazda and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
Along with Ehlinger, Brady White from Memphis was the only other quarterback to be named a finalist from the original list of 199 semifinalists. If Ehlinger wins the trophy he would be the third Texas Longhorn to be awarded the Campbell Trophy along with Dallas Griffin (2007) and Acho (2010).

Contact/Follow us @LonghornsWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas news, notes and opinions.

Download the USA TODAY SportsWire app to follow Longhorns Wire and your other favorite teams in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android devices.

[vertical-gallery id=22301]

Campbell Trophy Q&A with former Longhorn Sam Acho

The recipient of the 2010 William V. Campbell Trophy, Sam Acho sat down to do a question and answers session with the trophy’s committee.

The recipient of the 2010 William V. Campbell Trophy, former Texas star Sam Acho sat down to do a question and answers session with the trophy’s committee.

The trophy recognizes players who not only excel on the field but academically and in their local communities. Acho was presented with the trophy for a 3.55 GPA in the McCombs Business school while also spending time in Nigeria on mission trips.

On the field, Acho finished in Texas’ top 10 in sacks, forced fumbles, and fumble recoveries. His best season came in 2010, his senior year, having 15.5 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, and five forced fumbles.

Here are some of the replies to the questions the Campbell Trophy asked of him:

What do you love most about the Texas football program and what was your most memorable college game?
My most memorable game was the 2009 Big 12 Championship against Nebraska. I’m glad that Texas gave me the opportunity to play at the next level.

In the Big 12 Championship against the Cornhuskers, Acho had 10 tackles (seven solo) and one sack. As a team, the Longhorns won their third conference championship since the creation in 1996.

For three seasons, Acho got to play with his younger brother, Emmanuel. The two have always been close and enjoyed playing with each other.

You played college football alongside your younger brother, Emmanuel. As special as that must have been, was there ever any sibling rivalry and who was the biggest trash talker?
I loved playing with Emmanuel. In most sports, we were on the same team talking trash to opponents and backing each other up.

The 2010 season was their best combined season, as Emmanuel and Sam combined for 24.0 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks.

After his time in Austin, Acho was a fourth round pick of the 2011 NFL Draft. The Arizona Cardinals held onto the linebacker for four seasons before Acho headed to Chicago to play for the Bears.

Tampa Bay was a stop year stop in 2019 and the pass rusher is now a free agent. Still wanting to play, Acho made sure he was physically ready, even with COVID-19.

Because of the pandemic, the upcoming football season could be anything but typical. What are you looking forward to most this season and how did you stay in shape during quarantine?
I stayed in shape by playing with my kids and training on my own. I’m looking forward to a new season of life. The world has changed, and I’m looking forward to new conversations and rallying people together to make a change.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]