Austin Peay’s Walker named National Football Foundation semifinalist

IRVING, Texas (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Austin Peay football’s Pat Walker was named as one of 185 semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy Wednesday, September 26, in an announcement made by the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame.

The William V. Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the best scholar-athlete in the nation. The award is named after Bill Campbell, a former chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF’s Gold Medal.

In order to be nominated, a student-athlete must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility and maintain a 3.2 GPA or higher, have outstanding football ability and demonstrate outstanding leadership and citizenship.

The NFF will select 12 to 14 finalists on Oct. 30 and each of the remaining student-athletes will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. They also will be given an invitation to New York for the 62nd NFF Annual Awards Dinner on December 10. Additionally, the winner of the 30th Campbell Trophy will have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

On the football field, Walker has been a two-year starter for the Governors at linebacker since arriving from East Central Community College. He currently ranks second on the team with 25 tackles through four games, including a team-high 3.5 tackles for loss.

He recorded 53 tackles as a starter a year ago and now needs just 22 tackles to record 100 in his Austin Peay career.

With already having received his bachelor’s degree in health and human performance with a 3.49 GPA from Austin Peay, Walker is now working towards his second degree in education. He’s also been a two-time Dean’s List honoree and a two-time member of the AD’s Honor Roll.

Walker can be found each Friday during the school year assisting at the on-campus food pantry as well as helping out with service events at Burt Elementary School, Mana Café and in Lincoln Homes.

Walker is the Governors’ 18th Campbell Trophy semifinalist since 2000. Previous notable recipients of the award include Danny Wuerffel, Peyton Manning, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Alex Mack and Tim Tebow.