University of Delaware Athletics
Football’s Demboski Named 2026 Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
9/24/2026 10:42:00 AM | Football
IRVING, Texas – University of Delaware football OL Steven Demboski has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Football Hall of Fame announced. Demboski is the fourth-straight UD nominee to be named a semifinalist, joining Jake Thaw in 2025, Tyron Herring in 2024, and Chandler Harvin in 2023.
Celebrating its 37th year, the Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.
The 206 semifinalists, each nominated as their school's sole nominee and best all-around student-athlete on their respective teams, represent every NCAA division and the NAIA. The group is the largest in the history of the award, eclipsing the previous record of 204 set in 2024. Collectively, the semifinalists boast a 3.64 average GPA and include 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans, and 98 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
A captain for the second-consecutive season, Demboski has started the first three games of the 2026 campaign at center for the Fightin' Blue Hens.
This season, the fifth-year center has been named to the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watchlist, Rimington Trophy Watchlist, Outland Trophy Watchlist, Lombardi Award Watchlist, CUSA Watchlist, Shriners Children 1000 Watchlist, Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Watchlist, Athlon Sports All-CUSA First Team, Phil Steele All-CUSA First Team, Pro Football Network All-CUSA First Team, and an Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Nominee.
Demboski, a 2025 Second Team All-CUSA selection, played and started in 11 games at center last season. According to PFF, he did not allow a sack all season in his first year as the full-time starter. He was named the CUSA Offensive Lineman of the Week after UConn after making his season debut in the 44-41 OT win after missing the first two games due to injury. Under his leadership, the Delaware rushing attack had its best game on the ground, accounting for five rushing touchdowns and 247 rushing yards for an average of 5.5 yards per attempt in the team's first-FBS home win.
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