CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) named Illinois offensive lineman Josh Gesky as a semifinalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, the organization announced Wednesday.
THE WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY
The Campbell Trophy® recognizes an individual as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. This year, 177 semifinalists were nominated across all levels of play in the NCAA and NAIA. Each nominee must be a senior who will complete his final year of eligibility during the 2025 season or a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree and will participate during the 2025 season; 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.
JOSH GESKY
- Has played in 39 games with 25 starts over the last 3+ seasons since redshirting as a true freshman in 2021
- Two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention selection in 2023 and 2024 (coaches and media)
- Has helped Illinois compile a 31-23 record since 2021
- Part of Illinois teams that played in the 2022 Reliaquest Bowl and the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
- The 2024 Fighting Illini finished with a 10-3 record, tying the program's single-season wins record, and finished #16 in the final AP Top 25 following the team's win over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
- Three-Time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar (2022-23 – 2024-25)
- Three-Time Academic All-Big Ten (2022-24)
- Two-Time CSC Academic All-District (2023 and 2024)
- Chi Alpha Sigma inductee (2024)
