Eastern Wayne Today

Wayne State University senior linebacker Quincy Salter has been named a national semifinalist for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy, according to an announcement by the organization. Salter is the only football student-athlete from the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) to receive this recognition.

Salter, who serves as a team captain in 2025, has consistently achieved academic success. He has been listed on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll each of his six semesters at Wayne State, maintaining a 4.00 GPA while pursuing a bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sport Science. He was also inducted into Wayne State's inaugural Chi Alpha Sigma Athlete Honor Society class and received the WSU Football Scholar-Athlete Award for the 2024-25 academic year. On the field, Salter has recorded 49 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks during his time with the Warriors.

He is one of six semifinalists from Michigan institutions; other honorees include Michael Heldman (Central Michigan), Jefferson Adam (Eastern Michigan), Greg Tarr (Michigan), Sam Edwards (Michigan State), and Hunter Sperling (Hillsdale).

The Campbell Trophy recognizes college football's top scholar-athlete for combined achievement in academics, athletics, and leadership. This year marks its 36th edition and features 177 semifinalists across all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, with an average GPA of 3.60 among candidates.

"This year's 177 semifinalists represent the very best of what it means to play college football," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "They have excelled in the classroom, distinguished themselves on the field, and proven to be leaders in their communities. The Campbell Trophy stands as a reminder that football develops complete individuals, and these young men embody that tradition at the highest level."

Finalists will be announced on October 22 and will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as part of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists are invited to attend the NFF Annual Awards Dinner at Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on December 9, where one winner will be selected to receive a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship.

"We are honored to celebrate such an extraordinary group of student-athletes as semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Their accomplishments reflect the lasting impact of our game — building character, discipline, and leadership, extending far beyond football. Selecting finalists from this outstanding class will be a tremendous challenge, but it's a challenge that underscores the unique prestige of this award."

The National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete Awards were launched in 1959 as one of college sports' first programs to provide postgraduate scholarships based on both academic and athletic performance.

Salter joins a list of previous Wayne State University semifinalists for this honor dating back nearly two decades.