Eastern Illinois graduate student Alejandro Arellano has been named one of the 206 semifinalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, college football's premier scholar-athlete award, announced today by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF).  He is one of 45 players to be selected from the FCS level which includes a total of two players from the Ohio Valley Conference.
 
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior who will complete his final year of eligibility in the 2026 season or a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and is participating in the 2026 season; have a 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 comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, NFF College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
 
Celebrating its 37th year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
 
Arellano posted a 3.87 GPA as an undergraduate student earning his degree in Exercise Science at Eastern Illinois.
 
He has been a three year member of the Panthers program after beginning his collegiate career at College of DuPage.  This season he has appeared in all four games after making 22 appearances in his first two seasons as a Panther.  Last year he made eight starts between the left and right guard positions. 
 
The NFF will announce 12-16 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 sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 36th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
 
The Campbell Trophy® was first awarded in 1990, adding to the program's prestige. Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the trophy has been prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club since 2013, and the winner is honored each year during a special luncheon at the storied venue.