IRVING, Texas – Minnesota State senior linebacker Jacob Daulton has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy®, the National Football Foundation's highest academic honor and college football's premier scholar-athlete award.

Celebrating its 37th year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes the nation's top scholar-athlete for excellence in academics, football performance and leadership.
Daulton is one of a record 206 semifinalists selected nationwide and is the lone representative from the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. He is also one of just 19 NCAA Division II student-athletes chosen for the distinction.

The recognition adds another milestone to an already distinguished collegiate career. Daulton earned his bachelor's degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a master's degree in exercise science. A two-time All-NSIC First Team selection, he has excelled in the classroom, on the field and in the community, embodying the characteristics the Campbell Trophy seeks to recognize.

Daulton becomes the fifth Maverick since 2019 to earn Campbell Trophy semifinalist honors and Minnesota State's first nominee since offensive lineman Marshall Foerner received the distinction in 2024. Former linebacker Alex Goettl remains the program's lone finalist after earning national finalist honors in 2019.

A native of Hudson, Wis., Daulton has appeared in 29 career games for the Mavericks, totaling 129 tackles, including 77 solo stops, along with 12 tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions and 10 pass breakups. A two-time All-NSIC First Team honoree, he has also earned NSIC All-Academic Team honors and CSC Academic All-District recognition during his career.

Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Daulton has demonstrated a strong commitment to academics, leadership and service. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology and is currently pursuing a master's degree in exercise science. He also served as a FOCUS campus missionary at The Ohio State University from Spring 2024 through Spring 2026 and has participated in mission trips to Belize, Peru and the Dominican Republic.

[Click here] for the complete release from the National Football Foundation.

"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, from the National Football Foundation press release. "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."

Now in its 68th year, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments have recognized 954 individuals, with this year's scholarships pushing the program's all-time distribution beyond $13.5 million. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on a player's academic, athletic and leadership achievements.

Through four games this season, Daulton has tallied 13 tackles while helping lead the No. 4-ranked Mavericks to a 4-0 overall record and a 3-0 mark in NSIC play. Minnesota State returns to action Saturday when it travels to face the University of Sioux Falls at 1 p.m. in Sioux Falls, S.D.

"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. Our committee has an incredibly difficult job ahead in selecting the finalists, and that speaks volumes about the caliber of this year's candidates."

The NFF will announce 12 to 16 finalists on 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 Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be recognized before one of the most influential audiences in sports. During the event, one member of the class will be named the winner of the 37th William V. Campbell Trophy® and receive an increased postgraduate scholarship of $25,000.

[Click here] for more information regarding the Awards Dinner, including ticket availability, travel rates and lodging information.

To be eligible for nomination, student-athletes must be competing during the 2026 season as seniors in their final year of eligibility or as graduate students who have already earned a degree. Nominees must possess a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.2, demonstrate outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor and exhibit strong leadership and citizenship.

The Campbell Trophy® was first awarded in 1990 and has become one of the most prestigious honors in college athletics. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and 10 first-round NFL Draft selections.

Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the trophy has been displayed at its permanent home in the New York Athletic Club since 2013. The winner is honored annually during a special luncheon at the historic venue.

Fidelity Investments became the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards in 2011 and continues to support the organization's academic mission through several initiatives, including the NFF Faculty Salutes program, which recognizes faculty athletics representatives at institutions represented by Campbell Trophy finalists.

2026 William V. Campbell Trophy® Semifinalist Notes