BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell's Ebenezer Bedada has been announced as a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award, by the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame.

Bedada is one of a record 206 semifinalists nationally, and one of just four from the CAA. So far this season Bedada owns 10 tackles with 2.5 stops for loss, 1.0 sack, plus a fumble recovery, and a pass breakup.

Prior to the season, Bedada was ranked No. 19 in the Canadian Football League (CFL) Scouting Bureau's Preseason edition of the Class of 2027 prospects.

The team captain has also worked with KICKON (officially known as the KICKON Youth Training Centre), a Calgary-based, federally registered non-profit organization focused on empowering underserved, refugee, and newcomer youth. The organization works in close collaboration with the local charity Umoja Community Mosaic (formerly Soccer Without Boundaries).

Celebrating its 37th year, 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.

The 206 semifinalists, each nominated as their school's sole nominee and best all-around student-athlete on their respective teams, represent every NCAA division and the NAIA. The group is the largest in the history of the award, eclipsing the previous record of 204 set in 2024. Collectively, the semifinalists boast a 3.64 average GPA and include 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans and 98 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.

The Camels will head back on the road for one last nonconference matchup, traveling to nearby Durham for a matchup at North Carolina Central on October 3. Campbell will return to Barker-Lane Stadium following the bye week, taking on Towson on October 17 for Homecoming.

Visit GoCamels.com/Tickets for more information and to secure your seats.