National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Release
KUTZTOWN, Pa. – Kutztown University senior wide receiver
Kellen Williams (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg) was one of 156 collegiate football players selected as a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame's 2016 William V. Campbell Trophy it was announced on Wednesday.
Williams was one of just 17 Division II student-athletes chosen as a semifinalist, including just one of three from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). His selection gives Kutztown a semifinalist for a second consecutive season, as quarterback
Chad Barton (Hollidaysburg, Pa./Hollidaysburg) received the honor a year ago.
The award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation. Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, 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 NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Nov. 1, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The finalists will travel to New York City for the 59th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 6, where their accomplishments will be highlighted and one member of the class will be declared the winner and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
A marketing major, Williams currently holds a 3.28 cumulative grade point average. Also working towards a minor in psychology, he is a three-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete and earned Dean's List Honors in the spring of 2015.
On the field, the two-time All-PSAC East First Team selection is rewriting the KU record books. He ranks second all-time in program history with 26 career receiving touchdowns and 2,355 receiving yards, and third with 171 catches. The two-time team captain is currently seventh among NCAA active players in career receiving touchdowns, ninth in receiving yards and 10th in receptions. He has four touchdowns this season - fifth in the PSAC - and has caught a pass in 32-of-36 career games.
Off the field, Williams has volunteered with Angel 34 and is a member of the KU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) that helps clean up Kutztown's Main Street the Sunday following homecoming. He also has been a mentor for the Achievers Club in his hometown of Chambersburg, and volunteers at his local church.
Williams and his Golden Bear teammates next take the field this Saturday, Oct. 1 when Kutztown welcomes West Chester to Andre Reed Stadium for a 6:05 p.m. kickoff as part of Family Day.
