CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Illinois linebacker Ryan Meed has been named as a semifinalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy, according to the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.
The Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his academic success, football performance, and leadership. Each nominee must be a senior who will complete his final year of eligibility during the 2024 season or a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and will participate during the 2024 season. The nominee must 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.
Significant details of Meed’s college career:
- He has played in 44 games in his Illini career with 22 total tackles (13 solo), one tackle for loss, one forced fumble, and one blocked kick
- Four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree
- Awarded scholarship in 2021 after beginning his career as a walk-on
- Graduated with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology (May 2023) and has earned a post-graduate certificate in strategic leadership & management (May 2024)
- Started his first game at linebacker for the Fighting Illini as a junior in 2023, his fifth year in the program
- Contributed to the Illini’s visit to the 2019 Redbox Bowl during his first season with the program, playing in the final three contests of the regular season in addition to the bowl game
- Helped the Illini back to a bowl for the second time in his career to cap the 2022 season, playing in all 13 games including the ReliaQuest Bowl.
- Has helped the Fighting Illini reach the top-25 rankings twice in the last three seasons. The team has been ranked for the last two weeks and is currently #19 in the AP poll.