Clement Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
9/24/2026 9:21:00 AM | Football
Tight end David Clement was named a Semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy, college football's premier scholar-athlete award.
Now in its 37th year, the Campbell Trophy – considered the academic Heisman – honors an individual who is the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, each candidate must be competing in the 2026 season as a senior or a graduate student/graduate transfer who has already earned a degree; have a cumulative undergraduate 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. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is composed of a nationally recognized group of media, NFF College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
Clement earned his degree in his third year at Syracuse, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with 3.723 undergraduate GPA. A member of the Syracuse Athletic Director's Honor Roll in all seven semesters of his undergraduate career, Clement has appeared in nearly every game of his collegiate career.
Next weekend's UConn game will be Clement's 40th career appearance at Syracuse. He has started 10 games at 'Cuse. A mainstay on special teams early in his career, Clement has now earned a starting tight end role. He has three catches for 47 yards and a touchdown so far this season.
Clement is a part of the Orange's leadership group and also volunteers in numerous community service initiatives with the program, such as the Salvation Army, Rescue Mission, CNY Diaper Bank, Police Athletic League, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Food Bank Clear Path for Veterans and Syracuse City Schools. In addition to his work supporting the listed organizations, Clement has helped lead neighborhood cleanups in the surrounding areas of Syracuse.
The NFF will announce 12 to 16 finalists on Oct. 21, and each of them 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 highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. During the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. Click here for more information on the Awards Dinner, including options to purchase tickets online, special travel rates to the event from Delta Air Lines and room rates at the Bellagio.
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Now in its 37th year, the Campbell Trophy – considered the academic Heisman – honors an individual who is the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, each candidate must be competing in the 2026 season as a senior or a graduate student/graduate transfer who has already earned a degree; have a cumulative undergraduate 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. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is composed of a nationally recognized group of media, NFF College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
Clement earned his degree in his third year at Syracuse, graduating Magna Cum Laude from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with 3.723 undergraduate GPA. A member of the Syracuse Athletic Director's Honor Roll in all seven semesters of his undergraduate career, Clement has appeared in nearly every game of his collegiate career.
Next weekend's UConn game will be Clement's 40th career appearance at Syracuse. He has started 10 games at 'Cuse. A mainstay on special teams early in his career, Clement has now earned a starting tight end role. He has three catches for 47 yards and a touchdown so far this season.
Clement is a part of the Orange's leadership group and also volunteers in numerous community service initiatives with the program, such as the Salvation Army, Rescue Mission, CNY Diaper Bank, Police Athletic League, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Food Bank Clear Path for Veterans and Syracuse City Schools. In addition to his work supporting the listed organizations, Clement has helped lead neighborhood cleanups in the surrounding areas of Syracuse.
The NFF will announce 12 to 16 finalists on Oct. 21, and each of them 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 highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. During the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. Click here for more information on the Awards Dinner, including options to purchase tickets online, special travel rates to the event from Delta Air Lines and room rates at the Bellagio.
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