NDSU defensive tackle Grant Morgan is one of 181 semifinalists for the 2017 William V. Campbell Trophy, presented by Fidelity Investments. The list was announced Sept. 27 by the National Football Foundation for the award that recognizes the best football scholar-athlete in the nation.

Morgan, a senior majoring in sport management with a minor in business administration, is from Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He received the Missouri Valley Football Conference Commissioner’s Academic Excellence Award in 2016, and was a member of the conference’s honor roll in 2015 and 2016.

"These 181 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal," said foundation chairman Archie Manning. "It is important for us to showcase their success on the football field, in the classroom and in the community. This year's semifinalists further illustrate the power of our great sport in developing the next generation of influential leaders."

The foundation will announce 12-14 finalists on Nov. 1, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship, presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to New York for the 60th annual awards dinner on Dec. 5. At that time, one member of the class will be named the 28th William V. Campbell Trophy recipient and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

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