IRVING, Texas – South Dakota State wide receiver Jake Wieneke was named Wednesday as one of 13 finalists for 2017 William V. Campbell Trophy, presented by Fidelity Investments. The trophy recognizes the top football scholar-athlete in the nation.
By being named a Campbell Trophy finalist, Wieneke will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the National Football Foundation’s National Scholar-Athlete Class. The finalists, who were selected from a pool of 181 nominees across all divisions of college football, will be honored at the 60th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Dec. 5 in New York City. One member of the National Scholar-Athlete Class will be declared the winner of the 28th William V. Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
A senior from Maple Grove, Minn., Wieneke has excelled both on the field and in the classroom during his Jackrabbit career. He received All-America honors each of his first three seasons and currently holds SDSU career records for receptions (260), receiving yards (4,671) and receiving touchdowns (54). His touchdown and receiving yardage toals also are Missouri Valley Football Conference records and rank third and fourth, respectively, all-time within the Football Championship Subdivision.
His 1,472 receiving yards in 2015 set an MVFC single-season record, while his 11 touchdown catches so far this season lead the FCS ranks. He tied an SDSU single-game record with four touchdown receptions in the 2017 season opener against Duquesne.
A physical education/teacher education major, Wieneke has been honored on the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team each of the past two seasons, earning second-team honors in 2015 and first-team recognition in 2016. He also was a member of the FCS Athletics Directors Association Academic All-Star Team as a junior.
In addition, Wieneke was honored earlier this fall as a member of the Allstate American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team for his commitment to community service.
Wieneke is the third SDSU student-athlete to be honored as a member of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class, joining Ryan Berry (2008) and Zach Zenner (2014).
Photo from www.gojacks.com.
