Hartzog Named Campbell Trophy SemifinalistHartzog Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
Scott Bruhn
Men's Basketball

Hartzog Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

Nebraska senior defensive back Malcolm Hartzog Jr. was named a semifinalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, football’s premier scholar-athlete award. The Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

Hartzog is a fourth-year starter in the defensive backfield for the Huskers, as he has made 32 starts in his career. His play has helped NU rank in the top-20 nationally in total defense and scoring defense in each of the past two seasons. Last season, Hartzog earned All-Big Ten honors, totaling 45 tackles and a team-high four interceptions. – the most by a Husker in nearly a decade.  This season, he started NU’s first two games and had a game-saving interception against Cincinnati in the opener. He has helped NU lead the nation in fewest passing yards allowed per game (75.8 ypg) entering this week’s action. For the second straight year, he was chosen by his teammates as one of NU’s single-digit numbers, signifying the 10 toughest players on the roster.

In the classroom, Hartzog is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten performer and is on track to graduate this December with a degree in child, youth and family studies. He is also a three-time member of the Tom Osborne Citizenship team for his work in the community.

Hartzog is one of 178 candidates from the FBS and FCS levels, as schools can nominate one student-athlete annually. To be considered, candidates must by a senior who is will complete his final year of eligibility in the 2025 season or a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and is participating in the 2025 season; 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.

The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments.