The 35th William V. Campbell Trophy® recipient is Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who was announced at the 66th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner today.
Jalen Milroe’s journey to becoming the 35th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy® is a powerful testament to the fusion of athletic prowess, academic excellence, and exceptional leadership. As a quarterback for the University of Alabama, Milroe has been a prominent figure on the football field, but his impact stretches far beyond touchdowns and rushing yards. Known as the “Academic Heisman,” the Campbell Trophy is awarded annually by the National Football Foundation to the college football player who best combines academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. Milroe’s selection as the 2024 recipient at the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner marked a defining moment not only in his life but in the story of collegiate athletics, where the values of discipline, character, and integrity are held in the highest regard. His award represents not just individual recognition, but a reflection of the ideals that college football hopes to foster in its student-athletes.
Milroe’s ascent in the college football world wasn’t instantaneous. Coming out of high school in Texas, he was a four-star recruit with an electrifying arm and the ability to extend plays with his legs. He chose Alabama, one of the most competitive programs in the country, knowing the path would be anything but easy. Early in his collegiate career, he sat behind Bryce Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner and top NFL draft pick. Rather than becoming discouraged or seeking a transfer like many others in today’s fast-moving college football landscape, Milroe chose to stay, learn, and grow. That decision would become one of the defining characteristics of his journey—resilience in the face of adversity, patience in the presence of pressure, and confidence built on preparation. It was this maturity and depth of character that began to set him apart long before he was ever handed the reins of Alabama’s offense.
When he finally earned the starting quarterback role in the 2023 season, Milroe didn’t waste the opportunity. His on-field performances helped lead Alabama to the College Football Playoff, and his dual-threat ability often placed him at the center of game-changing moments. But perhaps more impressively, he emerged as the emotional and intellectual leader of the team. Teammates often spoke of his steady presence in the locker room, his accountability, and his ability to command respect without arrogance. Coaches praised his film study habits and noted his ability to make pre-snap reads that belied his years of experience. While statistics and victories captured public attention, those close to the program pointed to the less visible traits—his humility, work ethic, and ability to unite players from different backgrounds around a common goal.
Academically, Milroe exemplified what it means to be a student-athlete. Majoring in business finance, he maintained a GPA that placed him on the SEC Academic Honor Roll multiple times. At a university where football is often the dominant narrative, Milroe made sure to excel in the classroom with the same vigor he brought to the field. Professors described him as intellectually curious and deeply engaged, always asking questions that linked theoretical knowledge to real-world applications. He often spoke about his long-term goals beyond football, including financial literacy advocacy and entrepreneurship. This vision extended to his leadership in student organizations, where he participated in panels, mentored younger athletes, and took part in initiatives that encouraged academic focus and career development.
Milroe’s involvement in community outreach further elevated his profile as the ideal Campbell Trophy candidate. He regularly volunteered at local schools, mentoring children and encouraging them to pursue both their academic and athletic goals. He participated in numerous charitable initiatives, including food drives, hospital visits, and youth football camps. He was particularly passionate about mental health awareness, often speaking publicly about the pressures young athletes face and the importance of seeking help when needed. This openness helped destigmatize mental health discussions within the athletic department and among fans. His genuine care for others became one of the most praised aspects of his character, as he consistently used his platform not just for personal gain but to uplift and inspire.
By the time the National Football Foundation announced Milroe as the winner of the Campbell Trophy in December 2024, he had become a symbol of holistic excellence. The award, first given in 1990 and named after Bill Campbell—an acclaimed player, coach, and executive who mentored Silicon Valley’s top leaders—holds prestige not only because of its academic rigor but because of its rarity. Only one recipient is chosen each year from a nationwide pool of finalists who must first be nominated by their institutions. The selection process is rigorous, factoring in GPA, athletic performance, and leadership in community and campus life. Milroe was chosen from an elite group of scholar-athletes, each with extraordinary achievements, but his combination of grit, grace, and growth set him apart.
His acceptance speech at the Waldorf Astoria in Las Vegas was heartfelt and poignant. In front of an audience of legendary coaches, former players, and university presidents, Milroe thanked his parents for instilling discipline and faith, his coaches for trusting him, and his professors for pushing him to strive for excellence in all arenas. He spoke not only of gratitude but of responsibility—the responsibility to set a positive example, to be a beacon for others navigating the challenging terrain of college athletics, and to never forget the sacrifices made by those who came before him. His words resonated because they were not rehearsed clichés; they were lived truths, shaped by years of quiet perseverance and an unwavering belief in the value of hard work.
The significance of Milroe’s win is amplified when viewed in the broader context of college football in 2024. Amid growing concerns about the commercialization of the sport, issues around Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, and questions of amateurism, his recognition brought a return to the core values the Campbell Trophy celebrates. He wasn’t the player with the most lucrative endorsement deal or the flashiest highlight reel. He was the one who stayed the course, who elevated those around him, who pursued education not as a backup plan but as an integral part of his identity. In doing so, he reminded fans, administrators, and future athletes that character remains the most enduring measure of greatness.
Alabama’s football program also benefited from Milroe’s example. His leadership helped foster a team culture rooted in accountability and respect. He often led team study halls, encouraged younger players to take academics seriously, and created an atmosphere where it was cool to care—not just about winning, but about doing things the right way. Coaches spoke of a locker room that felt different under his guidance—more unified, more focused, more selfless. While Nick Saban had retired a year prior and the team transitioned to a new coaching staff, Milroe’s steady presence helped ease that shift, and he became a bridge between eras in Alabama football.
Even off the field, Milroe’s story resonated with fans and alumni. Social media was flooded with congratulatory messages following the Campbell Trophy announcement. Alumni, faculty, and even fans from rival schools praised his integrity and applauded the example he had set. Many commented that he represented what they hoped their own children would become—disciplined, grounded, and driven not by fame but by purpose. In a time when negative headlines often dominate sports media, Milroe’s achievement offered a much-needed moment of hope and inspiration.
Looking forward, Milroe’s future is full of possibility. Whether he pursues a career in the NFL, advances into the business world, or becomes a community leader, he carries with him the foundation laid during his time at Alabama. The Campbell Trophy will always be a hallmark of his legacy, but more than the physical award, it is the spirit of the honor—the call to excellence in mind, body, and character—that he will continue to live out. He has already expressed interest in launching a nonprofit focused on student-athlete development and financial literacy, using his own experiences to help the next generation navigate the complex world of college sports and adulthood. His visibility as a role model gives him the platform to create systemic change, and those who know him believe he is uniquely suited for that challenge.
As the 35th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy®, Jalen Milroe joins an elite fraternity of scholar-athletes who have gone on to become Rhodes Scholars, CEOs, doctors, and civic leaders. Yet his story is distinctly his own, shaped by his Texan roots, tested in the crucible of SEC football, and refined through an unrelenting commitment to growth. He embodies the principle that true greatness lies not in talent alone, but in the choices we make, the values we uphold, and the lives we touch along the way. For Alabama fans, he will be remembered not only for the passes he completed or the games he won, but for the example he set when no one was watching. For the sport at large, he represents what college football can be at its best—a proving ground not just for champions, but for leaders of character.
In a world increasingly defined by shortcuts and headlines, Jalen Milroe chose a different path—one marked by patience, perseverance, and purpose. His recognition as the Campbell Trophy recipient is both a reward and a responsibility, a moment of personal triumph and a call to continued service. It is a reminder that excellence is not a destination but a discipline, one that he has embraced with humility and heart. And in doing so, he has not only etched his name into the annals of college football history, but into the hearts of all who believe in the enduring power of integrity, leadership, and education.
