Calhoun Named Semifinalist For Campbell Trophy

Starkville, Miss. – Recognizing one of the most impressive groups of scholar-athletes in the history of college football, The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) named Mississippi State senior cornerback Taveze Calhoun a semifinalist Thursday for the 2015 William V. Campbell Trophy. The honor recognizes the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation.

Calhoun graduated this past spring with a degree in interdisciplinary studies, earning a 3.51 GPA in the process. The three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member is currently working toward his master’s degree in teaching with a focus in nutrition.

“Football is not forever,” Calhoun said. “You have to make the best of your opportunities. I do not want to be the guy to come back and say, ‘I wish I would have done this.’ I want to give 100 percent in everything I do at MSU, because it is limited.”

The Morton, Mississippi native has spent time volunteering with the Salvation Army, Starkville Manor Nursing Home, Oktibbeha County Humane Society, Deuce McAllister’s Catch 22 Foundation and also provided tornado relief to people of Louisville, Mississippi. In addition to a great deal of community service, Calhoun is serving as a team captain for the Bulldogs this season and has played in 40 games over the course of his career and made 26 starts.

The NFF will announce 15 finalists Oct. 29, 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 58th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. At the event, one member of the class will be declared the winner of the 26th William V. Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

All candidates are seniors or graduate students in their final year of eligibility. They must hold a GPA of at least 3.2, be a starter or significant contributor on their team and have a history of strong leadership and citizenship away from the field.

“A lot of people I know lack a role model or a mentor and kind of go down their own path,” Calhoun explained. “If I could reach one or two people like somebody reached me – I think the greatest thing you can do for somebody is impact their life in a positive way. That is something I want to do after football.”