Bucknell University Athletics
Sam Milligan Named Semifinalist for William V. Campbell Trophy
9/23/2026 1:05:00 PM | Football
LEWISBURG, Pa. — Bucknell senior wide receiver Sam Milligan has been named as one of 206 semifinalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation announced Wednesday.
The William V. 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.
A Strath Haven, Pa. native, Milligan holds an impressive GPA as a Business Analytics major in Bucknell's College of Management. Milligan is a three-year Patriot League Academic Honor Roll member and earned Academic All-Patriot League last season.
Milligan is a four-year contributor that has been named a captain and starting wide receiver during his senior season. The senior played all 12 games in 2024 and 2025 and has started each of Bucknell's four games thus far in 2026. During his freshman season, he played in 10 of the contests on special teams.
The wide receiver is a two-time First-Team All-Patriot League selection for special teams non-specialist. He also earned Second-Team Offensive All-Patriot League last season. The senior entered 2026 with several pre-season honors including; Stats Perform FCS Preseason Watch List, Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List and Pre-season All-Patriot League.
Milligan currently holds a share of two Bucknell football records. He is tied for first in career receiving touchdowns as a Bison with 18 and is first in touchdown catches in a single game with four against VMI during the 2025 season.
Overall Milligan has recorded 102 receptions for 1,540 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also has 22 carries for 74 yards and one touchdown. The senior has seen time in a wildcat position and is 3-for-4 for 40-yards in passing.
The 206 semifinalists were nominated by their schools, which were limited to one nominee each. Candidates were required to be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility and had to have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale while displaying outstanding football ability and strong leadership and citizenship. The candidates came from all levels of play in the NCAA and the NAIA. The class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.
From the 206 semifinalists, the National Football Foundation will announce 12-16 finalists on October 21 and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. One of the finalists will be named the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy during the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8 and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
