IRVING, Texas - The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the finalists for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. The Mid-American Conference is represented on the list by Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock and Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro. The 16 finalists will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as members of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments® and were selected from an impressive 180 semifinalists nationwide from among all NCAA divisions and the NAIA.

A relentless playmaker and inspirational leader, Murdock has established himself as one of the nation's leading tacklers while excelling in the classroom with a 3.46 GPA. The Petersburg, Virginia, native becomes the second NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Buffalo and the first since 1984 when Gerry Quinlivan earned the honor.

Graduating magna cum laude in May 2024 with a degree in psychology, Murdock is now pursuing a master's in education studies, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. A two-time CSC Academic All-District selection, he was also a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree.

Navarro holds a 3.96 GPA in Integrated Health Studies and is currently 117-for-149 with nine passing touchdowns on 1,471 yards in the air. Also a force to be reckoned with on the ground, he's logged 74 carries and four rushing touchdowns on 441 yards. 
 
Navarro was featured on four preseason watch lists this August: the Walter Camp Player of the Year, the Maxwell Award and the Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award. On Oct. 1, he was named to the 2025 Hispanic College Football Player of the Year Award Watch List, as announced by the Hispanic Football Hall of Fame (HFHOF). 
 
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