IRVING, Texas – Graduate linebacker
Baron Hopson was named among the 206 semifinalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, college football's premier scholar-athlete award, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday. In its 37
th year, the Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
Hopson and the 205 other semifinalists represent every NCAA division and the NAIA. He is one of just 95 FBS semifinalists.
Hopson was also named to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award watch list, as well as selected to the 2026 preseason watch lists for the Lombardi Award (nation's most outstanding linemen and linebackers) and for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (national defensive player of the year), as well as a HERO Sports Group of Six Preseason All-American.
The reigning 2025 CUSA Defensive Player of the Year and 2026 Preseason CUSA Defensive Player of the Year, Hopson had a monster campaign in 2025, recording a record-setting 138 tackles, nine tackles for loss, a forced fumble and interception over 14 games. Of his 14 games, he led the Owls in tackles in a whopping nine of them.
In the midst of rewriting the annals, he also broke the single-game tackle record with 16 in the regular-season finale that clinched KSU's berth in the Conference USA Championship game.
Off the field, Hopson is a member of the football team's leadership council, a 4.0 student and a degree holder in civil engineering. He is a Double Owl Member – a pathway at Kennesaw State for high-potential KSU students to obtain their undergraduate and graduate degrees faster.
He is also a member of the National Society of Black Engineers and the Black Student-Athlete Association, as well as a chair member of KSU's Student-Athlete Association.
Hopson has been named a member of the Dean's List six times and is currently obtaining his master's degree in engineering management.
The NFF will announce 12 to 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 Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. During the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
Each candidate must be competing in the 2026 season as a senior in his final year of eligibility or a graduate student/graduate transfer who has already earned a degree; have a cumulative undergraduate 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 class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is composed of a nationally recognized group of media, NFF College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
2026 KENNESAW STATE FOOTBALL TICKETS
Single-game tickets begin for as low as $25. Catch all the action of Kennesaw State's Conference USA schedule that includes a rematch of the 2025 CUSA Championship Game vs. Jax State (Oct. 7), as well as matchups against Liberty (Oct. 22), Delaware (Nov. 7) and FIU (Nov. 21).
The Champions Fund
The Champions Fund is a newly created, 100% tax deductible, philanthropic opportunity to contribute strategic revenue to Kennesaw State Athletics, with the goal of strengthening our ability to recruit and retain top-tier talent in this new era of collegiate athletics. Contributions to the Champions Fund will help aid in funding student-athlete recruitment and retention, as well as helping the Owls provide competitive excellence through investments in coaching, travel and facilities. The fund will also give an elevated student-athlete experience, including enhanced academic, nutrition, wellness and leadership programs. Donate to the Champions Fund here and help us support our Kennesaw State Owls.
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