UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State senior tight end Gabe Burkle was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday. Burkle is one of 206 semifinalists.
The William V. Campbell Trophy, in its 37th year is tabbed as the “academic Heisman” is college football’s premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
Gabe Burkle · R-Sr. · TE · 6-6 · 247 · Cedar Rapids, Iowa · Pierce · Iowa State
- On the Mackey Award watch list.
- Pursuing grad certificate in organization development and change essentials.
- Earned bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Iowa State in 2025.
- Picked up Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in seven-straight semesters at Iowa State.
- Won the Dr. Gerald Lage Academic Award for 2024-25, the Big 12’s recognition of sustatined academic excellence across a student-athlete’s career.
- Named to the John Mackey Award Watch List in 2025.
- Earned Academic All-Big 12 honors in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
- Tabbed CSC Academic All-District in 2023.
- Has caught 55 passes for 611 yards and two touchdowns in his collegiate career.
- In 2025, hauled in 26 catches for 302 yards and a touchdown.
- Posted 26 receptions for 296 yards and a score in 2024.
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 Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8.
Candidates for the awards must be: a senior who will complete his final year of eligibility in the 2026 season or graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and participating in the 2026 season, 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.
No. 13/14 Penn State welcomes Wisconsin on Saturday, September 26 for its Homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium with a broadcast on Peacock.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and ticket information for the 2026 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.GoPSUsports.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.