IRVING, Texas – Stanford senior defensive lineman Thomas Booker was named a finalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy® on Wednesday, announced by the National Football Foundation. The Campbell Trophy annually recognizes the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
Booker, who is one of 13 members of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, will be recognized in Las Vegas during the 63rd Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 7. He will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship, with one member of the class being declared the winner of the 32nd Campbell Trophy® and having their scholarship amount increased to $25,000. The event will take place at the ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas and will be streamed live, with specific broadcast information to be announced at a later date.
"We are extremely proud to announce the finalists for this year's Campbell Trophy®," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® recipient) and Eli were NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "These young men have an unrelenting commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives, and they represent all that is right in college football. As strong leaders in the vein of the trophy's namesake Bill Campbell, they all serve as living examples that the Future For Football is bright. We are excited to honor their hard work and outstanding leadership with postgraduate scholarships."
A native of Ellicott City, Md., Booker is a two-time captain for the Cardinal. He is a double major in communication and economics with a 3.89 GPA. He was a 2020 First Team Academic All-American and is on pace to graduate in June.
Booker has tallied 36 tackles and is tied for the team lead with 4.5 tackles for loss. He has 1.5 sacks and a blocked kick. In 2020, he was named First Team All-Pac-12 on special teams and earned second team all-conference recognition for his play on defense.
In the aftermath of George Floyd's murder in Minneapolis, Booker became a leading voice on Stanford's campus in the fight for social and racial equality. He played an integral part in founding CardinalBLCK (Brilliance, Leadership, Community and Knowledge), which is designed to provide a safe space for Black student-athletes to connect, share and foster a community that will support them long after their college careers. Fueled by the power of its collective voices, CardinalBLCK strives to empower Black student-athletes to use their influence in positive ways.
Booker is Stanford's 14th National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete of all-time and looks to become the first to win the William V. Campbell Trophy®. Stanford's other NFF Scholar-Athletes have been Casey Toohill (2019), Jordan Richards (2014), Owen Marecic (2010), Damon Dunn (1997), David Walker (1995), Justin Armour (1994), Glyn Milburn (1992), John Bergren (1983), Darrin Nelson (1981), Milt McColl (1980), Duncan McColl (1976), John Sande III (1970) and John Root (1967).
The trophy is named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, an All-Ivy League player and the captain of Columbia's 1961 Ivy League championship team who found his true calling after an unlikely career change at age 39 from Columbia football coach to advertising executive. His ability to recruit, develop and manage talented executives – all lessons learned on the gridiron – proved to be a critical component of his ability to inspire his business teams to the highest levels of success.
Selected from an impressive list of 176 semifinalists nationwide from among all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, the 13 finalists are:
- Troy Andersen, LB – Montana State (3.91 GPA - Agricultural Business)
- Thomas Booker, DE – Stanford (3.88 GPA - Economics & Communications)
- Mike Caliendo, OL – Western Michigan (3.90 GPA - Biomedical Sciences)
- Sean Clifford, QB – Penn State (3.45 GPA - Public Relations)
- Cameron Dukes, QB – Lindsey Wilson [KY] (3.89 GPA - Physical Education & Health)
- Patrick Fields, DB – Oklahoma (3.82 GPA - Accounting)
- Matt Henningsen, DE – Wisconsin (4.00 GPA - Electrical Engineering)
- Aidan Hutchinson, DE – Michigan (3.54 GPA - Applied Exercise Science)
- Joshua King, LB - U.S. Merchant Marine Academy [NY] (3.73 GPA - Marine Engineering)
- Charlie Kolar, TE – Iowa State (3.99 GPA - Mechanical Engineering)
- Henry Litwin, WR – Slippery Rock [PA] (3.66 GPA - Safety Management)
- Sean Mahone, S – West Virginia (3.60 GPA - Management Information Systems)
- Grant Morgan, LB – Arkansas (3.66 GPA - Kinesiology)