IRVING, TEXAS – Monmouth University football fifth-year senior tight end Jack Neri has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced Wednesday.

The Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. There were a record 203 student-athletes selected as semifinalists across all divisions, with the group having a combined grade point average of 3.63.

On the field Neri has been a reliable target for quarterback Derek Robertson this season, catching 13 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Neri set new career highs with five receptions for 44 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown grab against Eastern Washington. He followed up with four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown at Maine and added four receptions for 37 yards in the milestone win at FIU. Neri has totaled 45 receptions for 367 yards and four touchdowns in 30 career games, playing a pivotal role on offensive units that have ranked in the top 15 of the FCS in three consecutive seasons.
 
Of the 203 semifinalists, 41 were from the FCS level. CAA Football's eight honorees were the most of any FCS conference, followed by the Ivy League with seven.
 
The NFF will announce finalists on Oct. 23, where all finalists will receive a postgraduate scholarship of $18,000.  The Campbell Trophy recipient, which will be announced in Las Vegas on Dec. 10, will have their scholarship increased to $25,000.

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior who will complete his final year of eligibility in the 2024 season or graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and participating in the 2024 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 class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.

Monmouth is back at Kessler Stadium for the first of four straight home games on Saturday. The Hawks host Fordham at 1 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on SNY, NBC Sports Philadelphia+ and FloSports.