What already figured to be a milestone month for Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins began with a monumental moment Tuesday night in New York.
Wilkins was named the 29th recipient of The William V. Campbell Trophy. The award, sometimes known as the "Academic Heisman," recognizes combined academic success, football performance and community leadership. Wilkins received a 24-inch, 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship.
The All-American from Springfield, Massachusetts, graduated in 2017 with a 3.33 GPA in communication studies, the first scholarship player in Clemson football history to finish school in 2 1/2 years, according to the release.
Later this month he will receive a Masters degree from Clemson, according to a news release. Then on Dec. 29, he will lead the No. 2 Tigers against No. 3 Notre Dame in one of the College Football Playoff semifinals in Dallas.
"Christian Wilkins’ exceptional accomplishments on and off the field rank him among the best student-athletes in the history of our sport, making him the ideal Campbell Trophy recipient," National Football Foundation President & CEO Steve Hatchell said in the release. "He stands as the perfect example for the next generation to emulate.”
A total of $241,000 was awarded Tuesday to Wilkins and 12 other scholar athletes, who comprised the Campbell Trophy finalists.
The Campbell Trophy is named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, former chairman of Intuit and a former player and head coach at Columbia University.
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