McLean County Times

Illinois State University senior running back Wenkers Wright has been named a semifinalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, which is considered college football's top scholar-athlete award. The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced that Wright is among 177 semifinalists from across all NCAA divisions and the NAIA.

The Campbell Trophy, now in its 36th year, honors a player who demonstrates excellence in academics, football performance, and leadership. According to NFF Chairman Archie Manning, "This year's 177 semifinalists represent the very best of what it means to play college football. 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."

Nominees must be seniors or graduate students with at least a 3.2 GPA, significant contributions on the field, and strong leadership and citizenship records.

Wright earned his bachelor's degree in business administration in three years with a 3.32 GPA and is currently pursuing an MBA with a 3.75 GPA. He has been recognized multiple times for academic achievement within both his conference and Illinois State Athletics.

On the field, Wright was named to the Preseason All-America team by Stats Perform for 2025 and appears on the Walter Payton Award Watch List this season. Last year he led Illinois State with 1,123 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns—becoming their first player since 2019 to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a season—and surpassed 2,000 career rushing yards.

In addition to his athletic and academic achievements, Wright has volunteered with Special Olympics Illinois events held on campus and other community programs such as Prison Fellowship Angel Tree and NEXGEN Leadership program in Southern Indiana. He has also contributed financially to an orphanage in Haiti where he was adopted from.

Finalists for the Campbell Trophy will be announced October 22; each will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as part of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. One winner will be chosen at the NFF Annual Awards Dinner on December 9 in Las Vegas to receive a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship.

Wright hopes to join previous Illinois State finalists Jeff Hembrough (1981), Dan Hackman (1989), Adam Waugh (2001), and Drew Himmelman (2020).