CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Louisville All-American defensive lineman Ashton Gillotte has been named one of 16 finalists for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy, which is presented annually by the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Football Hall of Fame to the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for their combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
The 16 finalists were selected from a record number of 204 semifinalists nationwide from among all NCAA divisions and the NAIA.
An ACC player has won the Campbell Trophy in three of the last 10 seasons. Previous Campbell Trophy winners from current ACC schools are Clemson's Christian Wilkins in 2018, Virginia’s Micah Kiser in 2017, Duke’s David Helton in 2014, California’s Alex Mack in 2008, Miami’s Joaquin Gonzalez in 2001 and Virginia’s Thomas Burns in 1993.
“The Campbell Trophy is a highly prestigious award, and we are incredibly proud of Ashton for being recognized among the finalists,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “Ashton has excelled in all facets of being a student-athlete and is an outstanding representative of Louisville, the ACC and college athletics. We look forward to celebrating Ashton at the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame event in December.”
The 16 finalists will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas for the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on December 10, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. Live during the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 35th Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the Campbell Trophy must be either a senior player who will complete his final year of eligibility during the 2024 season or be a graduated player who has been enrolled in school at least three (3) years (even if he has remaining eligibility), must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, must have outstanding football ability as a starter/significant contributor, and must have exhibited exemplary leadership on the field, in the classroom and within the community.
Ashton Gillotte, DL – Louisville
3.69 GPA – Communications
Head Coach: Jeff Brohm | Athletics Director: Josh Heird
Faculty Athletics Representative: Krista Wallace-Boaz
Recipient of F.M. Kirby Scholar-Athlete Award, Funded by the National Football Foundation
An exceptional student-athlete, Gillotte has continuously reached new levels of excellence both on the field and in the classroom. The Boca Raton, Florida, native now becomes the first ever NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Louisville.
Having graduated magna cum laude in 3.5 years last December with a degree in communications, Gillotte claimed honors as a CSC First-Team Academic All-American in 2023. A two-time Academic All-ACC honoree, Gillotte is a 2024 finalist for the Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar Award. He is a member of the 2024 NFF Hampshire Honor Society, the ACC Academic Honor Roll and the Dean’s List. He is currently pursuing post-baccalaureate work.
The leader of the Cardinals’ defensive line, Gillotte led Louisville to a 10-4 record in 2023, appearing in the ACC Championship Game against Florida State. The Cards finished second in the ACC and No. 19 in the national polls. Gillotte’s efforts have helped the Cards appear in three consecutive bowl games, including a win in the 2022 Fenway Bowl. Louisville is currently 4-3 through Week 8 of the 2024 season.
A Second-Team All-America selection in 2023, Gillotte's career totals currently include 105 tackles, 32 tackles-for-loss, 23.0 sacks, which ranks him ninth in school history, one pass breakup, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. His 11.0 sacks in 2023 led the ACC and placed him eighth nationally last season. His performance in 2023 earned him First-Team All-ACC honors, and he finished as the runner-up for the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. He was an Honorable Mention All-ACC selection in 2022.
Active in the community, Gillotte set up a program to donate game tickets to the military, and he has donated most of his money from his Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) to the West End School and the Dare to Care Food Bank.
“We are thrilled to announce this year’s finalists for the Campbell Trophy®,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (a Campbell Trophy® recipient) and Eli were NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “These exceptional young men embody an unwavering commitment to excellence in all areas of their lives, from the classroom to the football field. They truly represent the best of college football, and we know they have only begun to reach their potential.”
“The NFF Awards Committee did an excellent job in selecting this year’s National Scholar-Athletes from among a record number of semifinalists,” said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. “These young men reinforce the promise that the future of football is in great hands. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and honoring their leadership with postgraduate scholarships.”
Following the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas, the recipient of the 2024 Campbell Trophy will be honored at several other prestigious events. On Thursday, December 12, he will be interviewed live during the “The Home Depot College Football Awards” on ESPN. Then on Monday, December 16, a reception will be held in his honor at the New York Athletic Club (NYAC), the official home of the trophy since 2013.
Launched in 1959, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments celebrate its 66th year in 2024. The awards were the first initiative in history to grant postgraduate scholarships based on both a player's academic and athletic accomplishments. Since 2011, Fidelity Investments, a leading provider of workplace savings plans in higher education, has served as the presenting sponsor of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards.