Central College tight end Grant Nelson was announced as the football program’s nominee for the William V. Campbell Trophy® as the nation’s top football scholar-athlete.

Nominees must be a senior or graduate student with a minimum 3.20 cumulative grade point average, have outstanding football ability, and demonstrate strong leadership and citizenship.

Nelson is a kinesiology major with a 3.78 grade point average. The Pella High School alum is a two-time American Rivers Academic All-Conference honoree and two-time Collegiate Sports Communicators Academic All-district pick. As a junior, he was chosen as American Rivers Conference honorable mention with 14 catches, 133 yards, and three touchdowns. Through the first three games of 2024, Nelson has 12 catches for 94 yards.

Nelson follows Central’s most recent Campbell Trophy semifinalists, wide receiver Jeff Herbers (2023), quarterback Blaine Hawkins (2021), kicker Jon Alberts (2019), running back Pat Gray (2018) and wide receiver Sam Markham (2017).

The award is presented by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, and Nelson is among 203 semifinalists. The National Football Foundation will announce 12-14 finalists on October 23rd with each receiving an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. The winner will be announced December 10th at the 66th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner in Las Vegas, having his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.