Dakota State University Defensive Lineman Senior John Trout has been named a semifinalist for the 2019 Williams V. Campbell Trophy, presented by Mazda. This award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combination of academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. Trout is one of 185 semifinalists announced this past Wednesday, including being one of seven from the NAIA. 

John Trout  is a two-time NSAA Football All-Conference Second Team recipient for the Trojans. He also received the Daktronics-NAIA Football and North Star Fall Sports scholar-athlete awards and was named to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-America NAIA Football First Team for his academic excellence in the classroom.

Finalists will be announced at the end of October, with the winner being selected in early December at the National Football Foundation awards in New York City.