Montgomery Named 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa fifth-year linebacker Jayden Montgomery has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, it was announced Tuesday by the National Football Foundation. The honor is awarded annually to the nation’s top scholar athlete.

As a finalist, he is also a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class and will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. Graves is one of 16 finalists for the award from a pool of 180 candidates nationwide. The winner of the Campbell Trophy will be announced Dec. 9, at the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

Montgomery (5-foot-11, 227) has captained an Iowa defense that is leading the nation scoring defense (4.3), total defense (176.7) and first down defense (25) through the first three weeks of the 2026 season. Montgomery is third on the team with eight tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, which is leading the team. He had four tackles, including two TFL, in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series win over Iowa State on Sept. 12.

The Suamico, Wisconsin, native is a six-time Dean's List and three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar in 2024 and 2025, and was recognized on the CSC Academic All-District Team in 2025.

During his collegiate career, Montgomery has amassed several hours at the Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital, Safe Haven Animal Shelter, Make-A-Wish, Day of Caring, CommUnity Crisis Services & Food Bank. He was also one of five Iowa student-athlete representatives at the Big Ten Leadership Conference last summer in Chicago.

Candidates for the Campbell Trophy must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of 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 NFF will announce 12-16 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. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8. The Campbell Award winner will receive a $25,000 scholarship.

Former Hawkeye linebacker Jack Campbell was the first Iowa student-athlete to earn the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2022. Six previous players were named a NFF National Scholar Athlete, including defensive tackle Aaron Graves (2025), linebacker James Morris (2013), linebacker Mike Klinkenborg (2007), offensive lineman Derek Rose (1998, tight end Mike Flagg (1987), defensive back Bob Elliott (1975) and defensive lineman John Charles Hendricks (1968).

No. 17 Iowa (3-0) returns to action Saturday at No. 18 Michigan at 2:30 p.m. (CT).  The game will be televised nationally on CBS and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.