MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State safety Wesley Fair has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy – one of the most prestigious honors in major college football – the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced Wednesday.
Fair is one of a record 206 semifinalists from all NCAA divisions and the NAIA for the award that recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
A native of Wichita, Kansas, Fair is the 13th Wildcat semifinalist for the award in as many years, joining Tyler Lockett (2014), Stanton Weber (2015), Will Davis (2016), Trent Tanking (2017), Dalton Risner (2018), Adam Holtorf (2019), Tyler Burns (2020), Landry Weber (2021), Adrian Martinez (2022), Cooper Beebe (2023), Austin Moore (2024) and Sam Hecht (2025). Lockett, Risner, Holtorf, Martinez and Beebe were all named finalists for the award.
“Every year, I’m amazed by what these young men are able to accomplish,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “Playing college football takes an enormous commitment, and to perform at a high level on the field while also excelling in the classroom and serving as a leader on campus is something special. These 206 semifinalists have a lot to be proud of, and it’s a privilege to recognize their accomplishments.”
Fair has seen time in 31 career games and been a regular part of the rotation at safety each of the last two seasons, which includes six career starts. Last year, Fair made 36 tackles – including one for a loss – and three pass breakups, while he returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown against TCU. Through three games this season, he has totaled 12 tackles, which included a career-high eight stops last week against Tulane while playing on a season-high 51 defensive snaps.
A two-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, Fair earned his degree in business management in August 2026, carrying a 3.669 GPA. He has also been involved in the community, visiting Wichita area schools and children’s hospital this past summer with other Wichita natives on the team, working the Special Olympics Clinic in both 2024 and 2026, while he read at Manhattan area elementary schools via K-State’s Cats in the Classroom program.