Preston Hill, one of the Millsaps Majors veteran leaders, has been recognized among the top scholar-athletes in all of college football.
The William V. Campbell Trophy is one of the highest honors in collegiate football, given to the top football scholar-athlete in the nation among the FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III, and NAIA levels. Each college in the U.S. nominates one player who is in their final year of football eligibility, has a 3.2 GPA or higher, is a significant contributor on the field, and is a proven leader and citizen in the community.
Hill, a senior offensive lineman for the surging 3-1 Majors, was announced as a semifinalist for the award on Wednesday of last week.
“These 203 semifinalists reflect not only exceptional academic and athletic talent but also the deep-rooted leadership that shows a commitment to excellence in all aspects of their lives, which is learned on the gridiron,” National Football Foundation Chairman Archie Manning said. “The Campbell Trophy continues to represent the pinnacle of what it means to be a scholar-athlete, and this year’s candidates exemplify how football builds future leaders who will undoubtedly shape tomorrow’s world.”
In his time at Millsaps, Hill has been a leader on the field and off. He holds a 3.5 cumulative GPA and is majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and art history. The Maben native is a member of the BBB Biology Honors Society, secretary of the AED Pre-Health Honors Society, and is also serving on the executive committee of the Kappa Sigma fraternity as the Grand Master of Ceremonies.
Hill is also a two-time member of the Dean’s List, a President’s List honoree, and has twice been named to the SAA Academic Honor Roll.
When he trades the books for a ball, Hill is just as good. He started eight games for the Majors in 2023, anchoring a blocking scheme that helped rack up 2,614 offensive yards and 18 touchdowns, along with helping Brandon Lechtenburg’s crew start the 2024 campaign with a 3-1 record.
The National Football Foundation will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 23, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The 2024 Campbell Trophy winner will be announced on Dec. 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
