University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Kyser Named a Semifinalist for NFF Campbell Trophy
Sep 26, 2018 | Football
Senior center among candidates for top scholar-athlete award
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis senior center Drew Kyser has been named as a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top football scholar-athlete.
A native of Opelika, Ala., Kyser has appeared in all 43 games in his college career with 42 starts, paving the way for record-setting Memphis offenses along the way. Last season the Tigers set program records with 592 points scored, 6,917 total yards of offense and 4,355 passing yards. Kyser has led the offensive line for the top three offenses in program history in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The Memphis offense last season behind Kyser ranked seventh in the country in passing yards per game (335.0) and second with 45.5 points per game. Memphis also ranked tied for ninth in the country in first downs (327) and 18th in red zone offense (90.3 percent).
This season, Kyser has helped Memphis to a 3-1 start with an offense ranked in the top-10 in scoring, total offense and rushing offense. He started at center every game of his true freshman season, before starting 12-of-13 games as a sophomore and all 13 games as a junior last season.
A history major, Kyser has compiled a 3.46 overall grade point average in his career.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, 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, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards program is celebrating its 60th year in 2018. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player's academic and athletic accomplishments, and the NFF has recognized 841 outstanding individuals since their inception. The Campbell Trophy®, first awarded in 1990, adds to the program's prestige, having previously honored two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and five first-round NFL draft picks.
A native of Opelika, Ala., Kyser has appeared in all 43 games in his college career with 42 starts, paving the way for record-setting Memphis offenses along the way. Last season the Tigers set program records with 592 points scored, 6,917 total yards of offense and 4,355 passing yards. Kyser has led the offensive line for the top three offenses in program history in 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The Memphis offense last season behind Kyser ranked seventh in the country in passing yards per game (335.0) and second with 45.5 points per game. Memphis also ranked tied for ninth in the country in first downs (327) and 18th in red zone offense (90.3 percent).
This season, Kyser has helped Memphis to a 3-1 start with an offense ranked in the top-10 in scoring, total offense and rushing offense. He started at center every game of his true freshman season, before starting 12-of-13 games as a sophomore and all 13 games as a junior last season.
A history major, Kyser has compiled a 3.46 overall grade point average in his career.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, 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, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards program is celebrating its 60th year in 2018. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player's academic and athletic accomplishments, and the NFF has recognized 841 outstanding individuals since their inception. The Campbell Trophy®, first awarded in 1990, adds to the program's prestige, having previously honored two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and five first-round NFL draft picks.
Players Mentioned
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