Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Costello Announced as William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
October 02, 2020 | Football
IRVING, Texas – The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced the semifinalists for the 2020 William V. Campbell Trophy on Thursday, and Mississippi State quarterback K.J. Costello was named to the list.
The Campbell Trophy recognizes the nation's top football scholar-athlete based on academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists in November, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. Later this year, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the award and his postgraduate scholarship will be increased to $25,000.
Candidates for the award must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2, 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.
MSU has produced four NFF National Scholar-Athletes/William V. Campbell Trophy finalists, with Taveze Calhoun being the most recent in December 2015. Derek Sherrod (2010), Bo Russell (1989) and Frank Dowsing (1972) were the other three honorees.
Costello began his career as a Bulldog by propelling State to a 44-34 win on the road against the defending National Champions, No. 6 LSU. Operating in head coach Mike Leach's air raid offense, the graduate transfer threw for 623 yards, shattering the MSU and SEC single-game passing yards record. His 623 yards also ranks 11th in NCAA history. He completed 36 passes on 60 attempts, which were also MSU school records, and he matched the program record for passing touchdowns with five.
Boasting a political science degree from Stanford, the Rancho Santa Margarita, California, native is currently pursuing a master's in business administration. Costello was a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention selection.
During his time in college, Costello has made his impact felt in the community. He visited kids at the local children's hospital and read to elementary school students.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
The Campbell Trophy recognizes the nation's top football scholar-athlete based on academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists in November, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2020 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. Later this year, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the award and his postgraduate scholarship will be increased to $25,000.
Candidates for the award must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2, 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.
MSU has produced four NFF National Scholar-Athletes/William V. Campbell Trophy finalists, with Taveze Calhoun being the most recent in December 2015. Derek Sherrod (2010), Bo Russell (1989) and Frank Dowsing (1972) were the other three honorees.
Costello began his career as a Bulldog by propelling State to a 44-34 win on the road against the defending National Champions, No. 6 LSU. Operating in head coach Mike Leach's air raid offense, the graduate transfer threw for 623 yards, shattering the MSU and SEC single-game passing yards record. His 623 yards also ranks 11th in NCAA history. He completed 36 passes on 60 attempts, which were also MSU school records, and he matched the program record for passing touchdowns with five.
Boasting a political science degree from Stanford, the Rancho Santa Margarita, California, native is currently pursuing a master's in business administration. Costello was a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention selection.
During his time in college, Costello has made his impact felt in the community. He visited kids at the local children's hospital and read to elementary school students.
For more information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on Twitter, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."
Players Mentioned
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