Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
Zach Mowchan Named Semifinalist for Campbell Trophy
9/24/2026 6:59:00 PM | Football
EMU senior linebacker recognized among nation’s top scholar-athletes
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University football senior linebacker Zach Mowchan (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York) has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy®, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Now in its 37th year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes college football's top scholar-athlete for combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. Mowchan is one of a record 206 semifinalists selected from across NCAA divisions and the NAIA. The group includes 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans, and 98 student-athletes who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
Mowchan was named one of EMU's team captains ahead of the 2026 season. He opened the season with a standout performance against Sacramento State, earning Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording a game-high 14 tackles, including seven solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss.
The recognition adds to an accomplished career for Mowchan, who recorded a career-high 43 tackles in nine games during the 2025 season. He earned Academic All-MAC honors in 2022 and 2025 and was named to the 2026 NFF Hampshire Honor Society.
Mowchan also has established himself as a leader in the Ypsilanti community. He serves as a group leader for Athletes in Action and participates in community service efforts with Foundation PreSchool, Ford Early Learning Center, Ypsilanti International Elementary School, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department's annual Shop with a Cop event.
He also serves as a group organizer and leader for EMU Football's annual Youth Day Kid's Camp and Victory Day, which gives children with special needs an opportunity to participate in activities alongside EMU student-athletes and coaches.
The 2026 Campbell Trophy® semifinalists were selected from nominations submitted by their respective schools. Each nominee must be competing as a senior in his final year of eligibility or as a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree. Candidates must also hold at least a 3.2 undergraduate GPA, demonstrate outstanding football ability, and show strong leadership and citizenship.
The NFF will announce 12 to 16 finalists Oct. 21. Each finalist 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 be honored at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas, where the 37th Campbell Trophy® winner will be announced.
The Campbell Trophy® was first awarded in 1990 and has recognized some of college football's most accomplished scholar-athletes. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners, and 10 first-round NFL Draft picks.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University football senior linebacker Zach Mowchan (Dillsburg, Pa./Northern York) has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy®, the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Now in its 37th year, the Campbell Trophy® recognizes college football's top scholar-athlete for combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership. Mowchan is one of a record 206 semifinalists selected from across NCAA divisions and the NAIA. The group includes 130 team captains, 24 All-Americans, and 98 student-athletes who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
Mowchan was named one of EMU's team captains ahead of the 2026 season. He opened the season with a standout performance against Sacramento State, earning Mid-American Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors after recording a game-high 14 tackles, including seven solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss.
The recognition adds to an accomplished career for Mowchan, who recorded a career-high 43 tackles in nine games during the 2025 season. He earned Academic All-MAC honors in 2022 and 2025 and was named to the 2026 NFF Hampshire Honor Society.
Mowchan also has established himself as a leader in the Ypsilanti community. He serves as a group leader for Athletes in Action and participates in community service efforts with Foundation PreSchool, Ford Early Learning Center, Ypsilanti International Elementary School, and the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Department's annual Shop with a Cop event.
He also serves as a group organizer and leader for EMU Football's annual Youth Day Kid's Camp and Victory Day, which gives children with special needs an opportunity to participate in activities alongside EMU student-athletes and coaches.
The 2026 Campbell Trophy® semifinalists were selected from nominations submitted by their respective schools. Each nominee must be competing as a senior in his final year of eligibility or as a graduate student or graduate transfer who has already earned a degree. Candidates must also hold at least a 3.2 undergraduate GPA, demonstrate outstanding football ability, and show strong leadership and citizenship.
The NFF will announce 12 to 16 finalists Oct. 21. Each finalist 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 be honored at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas, where the 37th Campbell Trophy® winner will be announced.
The Campbell Trophy® was first awarded in 1990 and has recognized some of college football's most accomplished scholar-athletes. Past recipients include two Rhodes Scholars, a Rhodes Scholar finalist, two Heisman Trophy winners, and 10 first-round NFL Draft picks.
Players Mentioned
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