MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State senior linebacker Austin Moore has been named a semifinalist for one of the most prestigious honors in major college football, the William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation (NFF) announced Wednesday.
Moore is one of a record-breaking 203 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 Louisburg, Kansas, Moore is the 11th 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) and Cooper Beebe (2023). Lockett, Risner, Holtorf, Martinez and Beebe were all named finalists for the award.
“These 203 semifinalists reflect not only exceptional academic and athletic talent but also the deep-rooted leadership that shows a commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives, which is learned on the gridiron,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “The Campbell Trophy continues to represent the pinnacle of what it means to be a scholar-athlete, and this year's candidates exemplify how football builds future leaders who will undoubtedly shape tomorrow’s world.”
Moore is in his sixth season of college football in 2024 as he has totaled 186 carer tackles, 28 tackles for loss, four sacks an interception and six total passes defended. His 28 career TFLs ranks 32nd nationally among active players, a mark that includes 2.5 this season. He is tied for third on the team this season with 14 tackles, while he has a sack and one pass breakup.
A three-time First Team Academic All-Big 12 honoree, Moore was nominated for that award with a perfect 4.0 GPA in both 2022 and 2023, while he earned Academic All-District honors from College Sports Communicators in both of those seasons. Moore obtained his undergraduate degree in kinesiology with a minor in gerontology in May 2023, graduating with a 3.941 GPA.
Away from the field and the classroom, Moore has participated in numerous community-service events, including the Powercat Auction, Special Olympics Clinic, Supper Bowl, Evening with the Stars Prom, Football Clinic for Special Olympics, “Be The Match” Bone Marrow Drive Prep and Adopt-A-Family.