Joseph Carter, Liberty’s defensive chief the final two seasons, has been named a semifinalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy® award.
The William V. Campbell Trophy® award, which is introduced by the National Football Foundation (NFF), is taken into account the premier scholar-athlete award within the sport of faculty soccer.
Carter was one in every of 179 semifinalists for this yr’s honor. This checklist consists of candidates from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, boasts a formidable 3.60 common GPA, with greater than half of the semifinalists (92) having already earned their bachelor’s levels.
Carter is among the many group of graduates as he accomplished his undergraduate diploma in Sport Management in May 2025. He is presently pursuing a grasp’s diploma in Sport Management.
Carter had a banner yr in 2024, main the Flames with a career-high 88 tackles. He completed the season with 30 extra tackles than another participant on Liberty’s roster.
The native of Jacksonville, Fla., was the second-highest graded linebacker in Conference USA in 2024 (77.1 grade by PFF.com). He additionally ranked third on Liberty’s roster with 697 whole snaps performed (564 – protection; 133 – particular groups).
Following the season, Carter was named to the Conference USA second-team itemizing. He additionally earned Linebacker of the Year accolades within the Commonwealth of Virginia from the Touchdown Club of Richmond.
Through the primary 5 video games of the 2025 season, Carter ranks second on Liberty’s roster with 32 tackles (14 solo, 18 assisted), together with 2.0 tackles for a loss and a compelled fumble.
Celebrating its thirty sixth yr, the Campbell Trophy® acknowledges a person as the very best soccer scholar-athlete within the nation for his mixed educational success, soccer efficiency and exemplary management.
The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, and every of them will obtain an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments.
The finalists will journey to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, the place their accomplishments will likely be highlighted in entrance of one of the vital highly effective audiences in all of sports activities.
Live through the occasion, one member of the category will likely be declared because the winner of the thirty sixth Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship elevated to $25,000.
2025 Campbell Trophy® Semifinalists Notes - thirty sixth yr of the William V. Campbell Trophy®
- 67th yr of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments
- 179 Semifinalists
- 3.60 Average GPA
- 92 Nominees who’ve already earned their bachelor’s levels (together with one participant with three bachelor’s levels)
- Five Nominees who’ve earned a grasp’s diploma (together with one participant with two grasp’s levels)
- Five Nominees with an ideal 4.0 GPA
- 56 Nominees with a 3.8 GPA or higher
- 74 Nominees with a 3.7 GPA or higher
- 14 Academic All-America alternatives
- 113 Captains
- 20 All-Americans
- 95 All-Conference picks
2025 Campbell Trophy® Semifinalists by Division and Position
- 79 Nominees from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS)
- 45 Nominees from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS)
- 15 Nominees from NCAA Division II
- 33 Nominees from NCAA Division III
- Seven Nominees from the NAIA
- 89 Offensive Players
- 76 Defensive Players
- 14 Special Teams Players