Every week, the National Football Foundation highlights the people, stories and moments that demonstrate football's impact beyond the field.
The National Football Foundation announced yesterday the finalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy®, 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. Meet the finalists below!
Terence Newman — DB, Kansas State
Terence Newman was honored during Kansas State's Oct. 17 home game. From left: Fidelity Vice President Clarence Stallings, NFF Director of Events Courtney Archer and Newman.
Join the Celebration of College Football’s Greatest Legends — December 8, 2026
College football players are members of the greatest fraternity in the world. Check out the National Football Foundation’s ‘I Played’ roster and submit your story to join today!
Members who recently submitted their ‘I Played’ story:
Jay Knowles, Hugh Boyd HS (BC, Canada) — Protection Services Supervisor, Vancouver Island Health Authority
Adam LaFollette, Earlham College (IN) — Regional Sales Manager, Riddell
James Mesidor, Austin Peay — Police Major, Florida International University Police Department
Patrick Porter, Kentucky — Chief Human Resources Officer, Resolve Marine
“My collegiate football career established a selfless team concept that vastly contributed to a successful law enforcement career where I honorably serve in the south Florida community.”
— James Mesidor
Come see Kansas State’s Terence Newman on Dec. 8 at the
Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for his induction!
Terence Newman combined lockdown coverage on defense and explosive return ability on special teams to become one of the most accomplished and versatile players of his era. The Salina, Kansas, native now becomes the fifth Kansas State player to enter the NFF College Football Hall of Fame.
A unanimous First Team All-American in 2002, Newman captured the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation's top defensive back and was also a finalist for the Nagurski Award as the top defensive player.
Be there with us as we induct Terence Newman into the NFF College Hall of Fame on December 8 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas!
Stay tuned for more news regarding the latest football participation numbers, schools adding college football, graduates playing college football and the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner!
December 8 — 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas at Bellagio Resort & Casino
December 8 — Announcement of the winner of the 37th NFF William V. Campbell Trophy®
December 8-9 — The SBJ Intercollegiate Athletics Forum at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
January 25, 2027 — CFP National Championship at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
Here are stories the NFF is reading this week as we gear up for another memorable college football season!
College GameDay brings in massive ratings for Week 7 episode ahead of BYU-Notre Dame
Saturday Down South
Women’s Flag Football Gearing Up for Its Super Bowl Week Showcase
Sports Illustrated
A look behind the scenes at The Wave at Stead Family Children’s Hospital
Cedar Rapids Gazette
Chuck Amato, who played collegiately at NC State, wrestled for the Wolfpack, and later coached at NC State and Florida State, has passed away. He was 80.
Allen Bailey, who played collegiately at Miami (FL) before spending 10 seasons in the NFL with Kansas City and Atlanta, passed away Oct. 21. He was 37.
John Beake, who won two Super Bowls as the GM of the Denver Broncos from 1985-1999 after coaching stops with the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints and the Colorado State Rams, has passed away. He was 87.
Robert Belus, who played collegiately at Penn State and coached the Nittany Lions’ freshman squad as a senior, passed away Oct. 16. He was 87.
Dan Davis, a founding member of ESPN Radio who spent more than five decades in sports broadcasting, passed away Oct. 21. He was 84.
Cornell Green, who played college basketball at Utah State before making the Dallas Cowboys’ roster from an open tryout that led to a 13-year career and a spot in the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, passed away Oct. 21. He was 86.
Denny Meyer, a First Team All-American defensive back at Arkansas State before professional stops in the NFL, WFL and CFL, passed away Oct. 5. He was 77.
Jon Morris, who played collegiately at Holy Cross before a 15-year professional career with the Boston Patriots, Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears, has passed away. He was 84.
Norm Niedermeier, who played collegiately at Michigan and spent four decades coaching high school football in Ohio while amassing 210 wins, passed away Oct. 5. He was 92.
Alexander Pitalo, who played collegiately at Perkinston Junior College (MS) and LSU before spending the rest of his career in education and as a high school football coach, passed away Oct. 9. He was 101 years old.
Kasey Redfern, who played collegiately at Wofford before playing professionally for seven different NFL teams, passed away Oct. 13. He was 35.
William Robertson, who played collegiately at Florida State and coached for 16 years at Centre College (KY), passed away Oct. 14. He was 77.
Jeff Van Note, who played linebacker collegiately at Kentucky before spending 18 seasons at center for the Atlanta Falcons where he earned six Pro Bowl selections and two All-Pro nods, passed away Oct. 2. He was 80.
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