IRVING, Texas - As if there was not more proof of
Efton Chism III skill, the senior wide receiver was named as a semifinalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy, presented by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. The award recognizes a student-athlete with combined academic and athletic success, along with exemplary leadership.
To qualify for the award, the student-athlete must be a senior in the final year of eligibility or a graduate student who has already earned a degree while participating in the 2024 season. They must have at least a 3.2 GPA, be a significant contributor or first team player on the team, while demonstrating strong leadership and citizenship.
In his final season with the Eagles, Chism leads the Big Sky across the leaderboard with 39 receptions, 406 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns. He averages 9.8 receptions per game in 2024. Against Nevada, Chism caught 11 passes for 85 yards for his third-career double-digit reception game.
Chism continues to move up the EWU record books this season to extend his legacy as an Eagle. Last week, Chism recorded his 250th career catch and moved into second all-time in program history with his 254th catch, passing Eric Kimble.
With 406 yards this season, Chism now has 2947 career receiving yards, placing him seventh all-time, 66 yards away from moving into sixth over Tony Brooks.
Chism has 28 touchdown catches in his career, placing him seventh in the record book. He passed Kendrick Bourne with his 28th score against Drake earlier this season.
In the season opening win over Monmouth, Chism set a career mark with 173 receiving yards on 12 catches and three touchdowns.
Chism also has 50 career punt returns and 31 career kick returns for 854 total yards.
Eastern has history with the Campbell Trophy, as former center Spencer Blackburn was one of 12 finalists for the award in 2019.
The list of semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy includes 203 student-athletes from all NCAA divisions and NAIA.
Chism is one of three Big Sky representatives, as he is joined by Montana cornerback Trevin Gradney and Montana State defensive end Brody Grebe.
About the Campbell Trophy
The Campbell Trophy was first awarded in 1990, adding to the program's prestige. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners and nine first-round NFL draft picks. Named in honor of the late
Bill Campbell, the trophy has been prominently displayed inside its official home at the New York Athletic Club since 2013, and the winner is honored each year during a special luncheon at the storied venue.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik and immortal journalist Grantland Rice, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame is a non-profit educational organization that runs programs designed to use the power of amateur football in developing scholarship, citizenship, and athletic achievement in young people. With 120 chapters in 47 states, NFF programs include the criteria, selection and induction of members of the College Football Hall of Fame; the Chick-fil-A College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta; Future For Football; I Played; the William V. Campbell Trophy®; the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments; the NFF National High School Academic Excellence Awards presented by the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation & Hatchell Cup presented by the Original Bob's Steak & Chop House; and a series of programs and initiatives to honor the legends of the past and inspire the leaders of the future. NFF corporate partners include Bruin Capital, Catapult, Delta Air Lines, Fidelity Investments, Hampshire Companies, Hanold Associates Executive Search, Jostens, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, New York Athletic Club, Pasadena Tournament of Roses, the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation and the Sports Business Journal. Follow us on Facebook,
Instagram and
Twitter @NFFNetwork and learn more at
footballfoundation.org.
Season and single game tickets for the 2024 football season are now available! Ticket packages can be purchased online via your Paciolan account, over the phone at 509-359-6059, or by emailing tickets@ewu.edu.
ABOUT EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
Eastern Washington University Athletics sponsors 14 intercollegiate sports, six for men and eight for women, both as learning opportunities for its most athletically talented students and as an enhancement to student and community life. Eastern is affiliated with Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and is a member of the Big Sky Conference, an association of 10 regional schools with comparable enrollments and academic goals.
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