Photo by: Paul Hokanson/UB Athletics
Murdock Named Finalist for 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy
10/22/2025 11:10:00 AM | Football, Office of Student-Athlete Success
BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock was selected as a finalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation announced Wednesday. Celebrating its 36th 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.
Murdock, one of 16 finalists, will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments®
A relentless playmaker and inspirational leader, Murdock has established himself as one of the nation's leading tacklers while excelling in the classroom with a 3.46 GPA. The Petersburg, Virginia, native becomes the second NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Buffalo and the first since 1984 when Gerry Quinlivan earned the honor.
Graduating magna cum laude in May 2024 with a degree in psychology, Murdock is now pursuing a master's in education studies, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. A two-time CSC Academic All-District selection, he was also a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree.
A two-year letterman and game captain multiple times, Murdock earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2024 after leading the nation in forced fumbles (7), ranking second nationally in tackles (156), and placing second in the MAC with 16.5 tackles for loss. He has recorded 301 total tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, and 15 forced fumbles thus far during his career. He set the Buffalo single-season record for forced fumbles (7 in 2024) and is on pace to break the NCAA career mark (16), with a nation-leading four more this season with a career total of 15. He currently ranks third nationally in total tackles (with 70 total, averaging 11.7 per game) this year and his 9.5 tackles for loss place him tied at No. 12 nationally.
Murdock's leadership contributed to Buffalo's 2025 Bahamas Bowl victory, where he was named Defensive MVP after producing 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a pick-six in the win over Liberty.
Named to the 2025 AFCA Good Works Team, Murdock founded and directs the Virginia Homework Helpers program, a free K–12 tutoring initiative supporting students in his home state. He founded this organization after seeing many of his peers struggle in school with no extra help, which could result in getting in trouble outside of school or dropping out. He also volunteers regularly with Buffalo Athletics at community service events and represented the Bulls at the 2024 and 2025 MAC Media Days.
The 16 finalists were selected from an impressive 180 semifinalists nationwide from among all NCAA divisions and the NAIA.
"Each year, we are thrilled to announce the 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 finalists exemplify the very best that our sport has to offer on the field, in the classroom and as leaders in their communities. They exude excellence in all areas of their lives, and we know they have only begun to reach their potential."
The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, 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 36th 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.
"The NFF Awards Committee faced a challenging task in selecting the best of the best from an already impressive list of candidates this year," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "We're thrilled to shine our spotlight on this group of finalists as they serve without question as an inspiration for the next generation to emulate. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at our event in December and supporting their continued development with postgraduate scholarships."
Submitted 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 2025 season or be a graduated player or grad transfer who has already earned a bachelor's degree and participating in the 2025 season; 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.
Murdock, one of 16 finalists, will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments®
A relentless playmaker and inspirational leader, Murdock has established himself as one of the nation's leading tacklers while excelling in the classroom with a 3.46 GPA. The Petersburg, Virginia, native becomes the second NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Buffalo and the first since 1984 when Gerry Quinlivan earned the honor.
Graduating magna cum laude in May 2024 with a degree in psychology, Murdock is now pursuing a master's in education studies, maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA. A two-time CSC Academic All-District selection, he was also a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree.
A two-year letterman and game captain multiple times, Murdock earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2024 after leading the nation in forced fumbles (7), ranking second nationally in tackles (156), and placing second in the MAC with 16.5 tackles for loss. He has recorded 301 total tackles, 35.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, one interception, and 15 forced fumbles thus far during his career. He set the Buffalo single-season record for forced fumbles (7 in 2024) and is on pace to break the NCAA career mark (16), with a nation-leading four more this season with a career total of 15. He currently ranks third nationally in total tackles (with 70 total, averaging 11.7 per game) this year and his 9.5 tackles for loss place him tied at No. 12 nationally.
Murdock's leadership contributed to Buffalo's 2025 Bahamas Bowl victory, where he was named Defensive MVP after producing 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and a pick-six in the win over Liberty.
Named to the 2025 AFCA Good Works Team, Murdock founded and directs the Virginia Homework Helpers program, a free K–12 tutoring initiative supporting students in his home state. He founded this organization after seeing many of his peers struggle in school with no extra help, which could result in getting in trouble outside of school or dropping out. He also volunteers regularly with Buffalo Athletics at community service events and represented the Bulls at the 2024 and 2025 MAC Media Days.
The 16 finalists were selected from an impressive 180 semifinalists nationwide from among all NCAA divisions and the NAIA.
"Each year, we are thrilled to announce the 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 finalists exemplify the very best that our sport has to offer on the field, in the classroom and as leaders in their communities. They exude excellence in all areas of their lives, and we know they have only begun to reach their potential."
The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, 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 36th 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.
"The NFF Awards Committee faced a challenging task in selecting the best of the best from an already impressive list of candidates this year," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "We're thrilled to shine our spotlight on this group of finalists as they serve without question as an inspiration for the next generation to emulate. We look forward to celebrating their achievements at our event in December and supporting their continued development with postgraduate scholarships."
Submitted 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 2025 season or be a graduated player or grad transfer who has already earned a bachelor's degree and participating in the 2025 season; 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.
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