FB's Michael Allen Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

IRVING, Texas – Baylor football fifth-year senior safety Michael Allen has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, as announced Wednesday by the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.

Allen is one of 206 nominees across all NCAA divisions and the NAIA, including one of 95 from the FBS ranks, on this year's list of semifinalists. The Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the country for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. The candidates also comprise the pool of nominees for the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments.

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the awards must be a senior in his final year of eligibility or a graduate student who has already earned a degree; have a GPA of at least 3.20; have outstanding football ability as a first-team player or significant contributor; and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

One of the most highly regarded leaders on the Bears' roster, Allen has played in 31 career games, primarily serving as the team's lead blocker on kickoff returns. He has returned four kicks in his career for 84 total yards, including a career long of 27 yards against Prairie View A&M in the 2026 home opener. A hybrid "player-coach" who sits in on defensive staff meetings throughout the week, Allen signals in defensive play calls while also playing on all phases of special teams for the Bears.

Off the field, Allen has dedicated over 100 hours of his time to work in the Waco community. From assisting in food preparation of school lunches to building homes for underserved areas of Waco, facilitating toy drives and reading to elementary school students, among many other service opportunities, Allen has been an active member in the community fostering relationships and serving those in need.

Perhaps his most notable work comes as Baylor's chapter leader for Uplifting Athletes, a national nonprofit that harnesses the power of sport to raise money and bring hope to people impacted by rare diseases. Supporters are able to pledge a monetary amount per rep that athletes complete at dedicated workouts, with all proceeds going to research for cures and treatments. For the last four years, Allen has organized and led fundraising events that raised more than $10,000 in support of rare disease research by recruiting teammates, campus partners and community members.

In the classroom, Allen holds a perfect 4.0 GPA in pursuit of a master's in business administration. He earned a finance and management degree from Baylor with a 3.96 GPA throughout his undergraduate career.

Already tabbed to the AFCA Good Works Team as a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist and a nominee for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award, Allen adds Campbell Trophy semifinalist to his collection of recognitions early in the 2026 season.

The NFF will announce 12 to 16 finalists on Oct. 21, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68^th Annual NFF Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. There, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 37^th Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

To stay up to date on all things Baylor football, follow the team on its official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts: @BUFootball.

BAYLOR FOOTBALL 2026 HONORS
Michael Allen, S
AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Jason Witten Man of the Year Nominee
William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist

Travion Barnes, LB
Preseason All-Texas Second Team (Dave Campbell's Texas Football)
Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
Shriners 1000 Watch List

Ryan Davis, JACK
Preseason All-Big 12 Second Team (PFN)

Gavin Freeman, WR
Preseason All-Big 12 Third Team (PFN)

DJ Lagway, QB
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award Watch List
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
Maxwell Award Watch List
Shriners 1000 Watch List

Tony Livingston, TE
Shriners 1000 Watch List

Dawson Pendergrass, RB
Shriners 1000 Watch List

Jacob Redding, S
Shriners 1000 Watch List
Preseason All-Big 12 First Team FLEX (Sports Info Solutions)

Dylan Schaub, LS
Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)

Kaden Sieracki, OT
Preseason All-Big Fourth Team (Phil Steele)
Shriners 1000 Watch List

Devonte Tezino, DL
Shriners 1000 Watch List

LeVar Thornton Jr., CB
Shriners 1000 Watch List

Devin Turner, S
Shriners 1000 Watch List

Hosea Wheeler, DL
Preseason All-Big Third Team (Phil Steele)
Shriners 1000 Watch List

Palmer Williams, P
Week 1 - Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week
Preseason All-America First Team (Walter Camp Foundation)
Preseason All-America Second Team (CBS Sports)
Preseason All-America Third Team (Phil Steele)
Preseason All-Big 12 First Team (Media, Phil Steele)
Preseason All-Texas First Team (Dave Campbell's Texas Football)
Ray Guy Award Watch List
Shriners 1000 Watch List

-BaylorBears.com-

FB's Michael Allen Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist

Players Mentioned

Michael Allen

Travion Barnes

Ryan Davis

Gavin Freeman

DJ Lagway

Tony Livingston

Dawson Pendergrass

Jacob Redding

Dylan Schaub

Kaden Sieracki

Devonte Tezino

LeVar Thornton Jr.

Devin Turner

Hosea Wheeler

Palmer Williams

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