Salisbury Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist by the NFF

October 5, 2016

Press Release

IRVING, Texas – Senior tight end Trey Salisbury was named as a National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) Campbell Trophy semifinalist.

He is one of 156 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 class is selected each year by the NFF Awards Committee, which is comprised of a nationally recognized group of media, College Football Hall of Famers and athletics administrators.

Austin Peay is one of four schools that have had a student-athlete named to a Campbell Trophy semifinalist in 11 straigth seasons. APSU is one of three FCS schools in that grooup and the only scholarshiped FCS program.

After redshirting in 2012, Salisbury spent the first season competing for time on the defensive line before settling into a niche as tight end for the Govs. He has hauled in 10 passes for 142 yards during his career while seeing action in 34 games. He is a two-time Dean List’s member and a six-time Athletics Director Honor Roll recipient.

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, presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to New York City for the 59th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 6, 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 27th William V. Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.

“These 156 impressive candidates truly represent the scholar-athlete ideal,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “It is important for us to showcase their success on the football field, in the classroom and in the community. This year’s semifinalists further illustrate the power of our great sport in developing the next generation of influential leaders.”

Named in honor of the late Bill Campbell, former chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF’s Gold Medal, the Campbell Trophy is a 25-pound bronze trophy and increases the amount of the recipient’s grant by $7,000 for a total postgraduate scholarship of $25,000. This year’s postgraduate scholarships will push the program’s all-time distribution to more than $11.1 million.

“The NFF would like to personally congratulate each of the nominees as well as their schools and coaches on their tremendous accomplishments,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “We are extremely proud to highlight each semifinalist’s achievements, showcasing their ability to balance academics and athletics at the highest level. The NFF Awards Committee will have an incredibly difficult task in selecting the finalists from this outstanding group of candidates.”

Fans can follow all the action from the 2016-17 season on www.LetsGoPeay.com, on Twitter @LetsGoPeay & @AustinPeayFB and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LetsGoPeay.


Click HERE to see a full bio on Salisbury’s career at Austin Peay.

Academics: Dean’s List (S13, F15), Athletics Director’s Honor Roll (S13, F13, F14, S15, F15, S16)

2015: In first full season on offensive side of the ball, appeared in all 11 games and made five starts… caught passes against Mercer and Southern Miss to open the season… lone multi-catch outing came at Murray State (two catches, 28 yards)… caught passes against Jacksonville State and Tennessee State, finishing the campaign with six catches for 60 yards.

2014: After spending a couple of seasons fighting for time on the defensive line, seems to have found a home at tight end… after spending a few weeks working at the position last fall, closed the regular season strong with four catches in his last three games… hauled in two passes for 59 yards, including a 40-yard reception, against Tennessee State.

2013: Played in 11 games for the Govs in 2013… had two tackles in season opener against Tennessee… had another two- tackle game at Tennessee Tech.

2012: Used 2012 redshirt season to add bulk and strength to frame.

High School: Played multiple offensive and defensive positions at Smith County High School… recorded more than 180 tackles in his final two prep seasons… as senior recorded six quarterback sacks along with seven other tackles for loss… also forced four fumbles… voted first-team All-State as senior by Tennessee Sports Writers Association… named first-team all-district as both junior and senior… selected Most Outstanding Defensive End as senior and chosen first-team All-Upper Cumberland as senior after earning second-team as junior.

Personal: Business finance major… son of Bryan and Marsha Salisbury… born March 10.

Trey Salisbury #86 - Austin Peay Govs

Trey Salisbury #86 – Austin Peay Govs