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Wayne State University Athletics

Ethan Gates NFF Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

Football Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Gates Named Campbell Trophy National Semifinalist

DETROIT -- Wayne State University graduate student offensive lineman Ethan Gates (St. Clair Shores, Mich. / Lakeview) is one of two football student-athletes from the GLIAC to be named a national semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's William Campbell Trophy as announced by the organization.  Saginaw Valley State's Adom LeDuc is the other.

A 2026 captain, Gates has been named to the Athletic Director's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.5+) all eight semesters at WSU, posting a 4.00 GPA five times.  He earned his bachelor's degree in Health & Physical Education Teaching last May with a cumulative GPA of 3.92.

The St. Clair Shores, Mich., native was inducted into Wayne State's inaugural Chi Alpha Sigma Athlete Honor Society class and was a recipient of the WSU Football Scholar-Athlete Award during the 2024-25 academic year.  Gates has started all four games at left tackle this season, while making 14 career starts in 29 contests prior to this Saturday's game at Grand Valley State.

The Green and Gold student-athlete is one of nine semifinalists that attend a Michigan institution.  Central Michigan's Angel Flores, Eastern Michigan's Zach Mowchan, Michigan's Nico Andrighetto, Michigan State's Trent Fraley, and Hillsdale's Shea Ruddy were recognized as well, along with Division 3 nominees - Albion's Connor Davey and Hope's Jonny Rohen-Blanton.

NFF Release
IRVING, Texas (Sept. 23, 2026) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame proudly announced today a record 206 semifinalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award.  Celebrating its 37th year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
 
The 206 semifinalists, each nominated as their school's sole nominee and best all-around student-athlete on their respective teams, represent every NCAA division and the NAIA.  The group is the largest in the history of the award, eclipsing the previous record of 204 set in 2024.  Collectively, the semifinalists boast a 3.64 average GPA and include 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans and 98 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
 
"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."
 
Now in its 68th year, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments have recognized 954 individuals, with this year's scholarships pushing the program's all-time distribution above $13.5 million.  The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on a player's academic, athletic and leadership accomplishments.

"These 206 semifinalists represent the power of football to develop leaders well beyond the field," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "The game challenges young men to compete, lead and pursue excellence, and these candidates have embraced those values in the classroom, on the field and in their communities. They exemplify the kind of leaders the NFF has sought to recognize and develop throughout its history. Our committee has an incredibly difficult job ahead in selecting the finalists, and that speaks volumes about the caliber of this year's candidates."
 
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.
 
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.
 
The Campbell Trophy® was first awarded in 1990, adding to the prestige of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards.  Past Campbell Trophy® recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and ten first-round NFL Draft picks.  Click here for a list of the past winners of the trophy.
 
Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, the trophy has been prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club since 2013, and the winner is honored each year during a special luncheon at the storied venue.
 
Fidelity Investments became the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards in 2011, marking its 16th year of support in 2026. As part of its commitment to the NFF and higher education nationwide, Fidelity helped launch the NFF Faculty Salutes, which honor the faculty athletics representative (FAR) at each institution with a Campbell Trophy® finalist. Following the selection of the finalists, the NFF presents each school's FAR with a commemorative plaque, and Fidelity contributes $5,000 to the school's academic support services.  Since the program's inception, the Salutes have recognized 214 FARs, with Fidelity providing a total of $1.07 million in donations.
 
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Players Mentioned

Ethan Gates

#76 Ethan Gates

OL
6' 6"
Graduate Student

Players Mentioned

Ethan Gates

#76 Ethan Gates

6' 6"
Graduate Student
OL