From an early age, Brady White sought not only to be a perfect quarterback, but also a perfect student. Although he had dreams in the NFL, he learned that he was looking for the same commitment in class.
“You can communicate with someone who knows me all my life, yet I’ve been faithful for much of my life and a lot of my time,” White said Wednesday. “. . . committed to mastering my career in the box and striving academically as well. “
This culminated in White’s appointment as this year’s winner of the William V Trophy. Campbell as the school’s football athlete through the National Football Foundation.
White, the first Memphis football player to win the Campbell Trophy, nicknamed “Academic Heisman”. He is one of 12 finalists of this award, which combines educational achievements, football functionality and exemplary leadership.
Previous winners come with Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow and last year’s winner Justin Herbert.
White, who also won a $25,000 graduate scholarship, is the time the Memphis-related player wins the award in the more than 10 years. Former Middle Alabama player Barrett Jones, a Memphis local and ECS graduate, the 2012 winner.
“It’s anything that has almost more weight in my opinion than any other football prize because it represents so much more,” White said. “It represents athletics and what you do out of the box in your community. “
The vice president of the National Football Foundation, Jack Ford, said the committee may not be a former laureate who has completed a PhD in liberal studies like White, but balanced 3 categories and led the Tigers to an 8-3 record
Whites averaged 3. 58 when Memphis won the Bowl, his first bowl win since 2014, and left the Tigers’ all-time leader in passing yards (10690), touchdowns (90) and quarterback wins (28).
White will also be identified Thursday in ESPN’s school football awards rite at 6 p. m.
He declared himself for the NFL draft after the Bowl, so all plans for a PhD thesis are pending. But winning the Campbell Trophy helped validate why he chose to return for his senior season and continue balancing the commitment he started in college.
“I remembered that this was an incredibly wonderful opportunity and a great blessing. It’s a privilege to paint on his phD while playing football, even though it was as difficult as hell,” White said. “I probably wouldn’t say there was a day that happened that I discovered easy.
“That’s it and I’m incredibly grateful to be where I am. “
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