IRVING, Texas--The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) named Westminster senior Braden Mika (Vandergrift, Pa., Kiski) one of its 44 Division III semifinalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy® Wednesday morning.
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.
A record 206 semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy® were announced. 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 grade-point average (GPA) and include 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans and 98 players who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
"Every year, I'm amazed by what these young men are able to accomplish," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy® winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. "Playing college football takes an enormous commitment, and to perform at a high level on the field while also excelling in the classroom and serving as a leader on campus is something special. These 206 semifinalists have a lot to be proud of, and it's a privilege to recognize their accomplishments."
Now in its 68th year, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments have recognized 954 individuals, with this year's scholarships pushing the program's all-time distribution above $13.5 million. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on a player's academic, athletic and leadership accomplishments.
Mika was one of three semifinalists from the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), joining Case Western Reserve's Aaron Filips and W&J's Michael Roginsky.
A three-year starter at right tackle, Mika owns a 3.48 cumulative GPA while pursuing a major in accounting and minor in finance. A 2025 First Team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) selection and Honorable Mention All-PAC pick in 2023 and 2024, he has not missed a start since arriving in New Wilmington. Mika has been named to the College's Dean's List three times and the PAC Academic Honor Roll once. He is a two-time Academic All-District® selection (2024, 2025).
Mika has volunteered with the experiential Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, helping prepare federal, state and local tax returns for low- to moderate-income individuals, the elderly, individuals with disabilities and international students through the Lawrence County Community Action Partnership (LCCAP), dedicated to enhancing the quality of life within Lawrence County by eliminating and preventing the causes and effects of poverty. He recently participated in PNC's 10-week corporate finance and accounting summer internship program, working side-by-side with PNC professionals in the preparation of external reporting (e.g., earnings releases and investor presentations; financial statements and regulatory filings and reports) and internal reporting (e.g., budgeting and forecasting) using well-controlled processes.
Mika has served as a volunteer with the College's Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) program and Special Olympics Lawrence County, assisting with initial visitor registration for an annual spring event on campus that welcomes hundreds of Special Olympics athletes from seven local counties for a basketball tournament and swim meet. He has volunteered at Wilmington Field Day, Wilmington Area Elementary School's annual visit to campus, where Westminster student-athletes run basketball, track, football, golf, volleyball, soccer, tennis and lacrosse activities that keep the visiting students and College student-athletes engaged. Mika has helped lead the football program's participation in the annual Toys for Tots campaign while assisting the United States Marine Corps with its annual toy drive and distribution and worked with other members of the football program to clean up local parks around the New Wilmington community.
Mika was also named a nominee for the 2026 Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team® on July 21.
His brother, Cameron '21, also enjoyed a tremendous career at Westminster, both on the field and in the classroom. A four-year starter on the Titans' offensive line, he was named a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America selection after the spring 2021 season. He was a semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy® in 2020.
The NFF will announce 12 to 16 finalists on Oct. 21, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. During the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy® and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. Click here for more information on the Awards Dinner, including options to purchase tickets online, special travel rates to the event from Delta Air Lines and room rates at the Bellagio.
