Smith Named Semifinalist for William V. Campbell Trophy
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF) named Arkansas running back Sutton Smith as a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, the organization announced Wednesday.
The Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
The semifinalist selection marks Smith’s first in his collegiate career. The Marietta, Ga., product has rushed for 1,182 total yards and 12 touchdowns on 225 carries while averaging 5.3 yards per attempt during his five-year college career. He’s also registered 50 receptions for 381 yards receiving while tallying 867 total return yards on 46 returns.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, each candidate must be competing in the 2026 season as a senior in his final year of eligibility 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.
Smith was one of 14 student-athletes from the SEC on the record-breaking list of 206 national semifinalists.
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.
Arkansas closes out the non-conference portion of its 2026 schedule against Tulsa, riding a 19-game win streak against the Golden Hurricane dating back to 1977. Kickoff in the first night game of the year inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, on SEC Network+. Single-game tickets are on sale now. To see available seating inventory online, click here, or call the Razorback Ticket Center at 479.575.5151.
