RENO, Nev. – Nevada senior defensive lineman Sam Hammond has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy presented by Mazda, the National Football Foundation announced today.
 
Hammond is part of a record-setting 199 semifinalists for the award, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. Each nominee must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, 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 and citizenship.
 
Hammond, a finance major who earned Mountain West Scholar-Athlete and MW All-Academic team honors last year, enters his final year of eligibility with the Wolf Pack. The Yerington, Nev. native posted a breakout season on the defense in 2019 after playing in all 13 contests. Hammond totaled 35 tackles on the year and finished with 1.5 sacks. He earned MW Defensive Player of the Week honors after helping Nevada defeat No. 24 San Diego State with a career-high nine tackles, including one sack.
 
The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists in November, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. One of the finalists will be named the winner of the 31st Campbell Trophy presented by Mazda, and his postgraduate scholarship will be increased to $25,000.
 
Nevada will kick-off an eight-game 2020 season on Oct. 24 with the opponent and remainder of the schedule still to be determined.