Nebraska tight end Luke Lindenmeyer has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award. The National Football Foundation announced the honor on September 23, 2026. The Campbell Trophy recognizes the player who best combines academic excellence, on-field performance, and leadership. Lindenmeyer is one of 206 semifinalists nominated by schools at the FBS, FCS, and other levels. Each school may nominate only one player.
Lindenmeyer, a 6-foot-3, 250-pound senior from Papillion-La Vista High School, is in his fifth season with the Huskers and his second as the starting tight end. He has appeared in 42 games with 23 starts. This season he has five receptions for 71 yards, including a career-long 33-yard catch against North Dakota. His blocking has helped Nebraska rank 12th nationally in rushing offense and 10th in total offense heading into Big Ten play.
As a junior in 2025, he earned honorable-mention All-Big Ten honors after posting 29 catches for 312 yards and two touchdowns. A career-high seven receptions came against Michigan. The former walk-on has become a trusted two-way contributor in the passing game and as a blocker.
Off the field, Lindenmeyer has been equally consistent. He is a four-time Tom Osborne Citizenship Team honoree and received the Sam Foltz 27 Hero Leadership Award in 2024 as one of 27 student-athletes across Nebraska’s athletic programs. A three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and 2026 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, he is set to graduate in December with a degree in finance. He was also named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar and is a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society. He has remained active in Nebraska’s Life Skills program throughout his career.
To be eligible, candidates must be seniors in their final year of eligibility or graduate students already holding a degree, maintain at least a 3.2 GPA, contribute significantly on the field, and demonstrate leadership and citizenship. The 2026 semifinalist class is the largest in the award’s history and carries a collective 3.64 GPA.
The NFF will name 12 to 16 finalists on October 21. Each finalist receives an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class presented by Fidelity Investments. The Campbell Trophy winner will be announced December 8 in Las Vegas.
For a homegrown walk-on who has started and finished his career in Lincoln, the recognition underscores the full picture Nebraska coaches and teammates have described: production, reliability, and the kind of off-field example the award is designed to honor.
