University of North Carolina Athletics
Hardy Named William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
September 24, 2025 | Football
North Carolina defensive back Will Hardy has been named a 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy Semifinalist, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (NFF) 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.
Hardy graduated early in May 2025 with a degree in business administration after just three seasons in the Carolina Football program, maintaining a 3.797 grade point average. He is a currently pursuing a master's degree in accounting and is three-time All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Honor Roll recipient.Â
Hardy has started all four games at safety for the Tar Heels this season. The Lawrenceville, Georgia, product has tallied 15 tackles, including 10 solo stops and a tackle for loss.
During his time in Chapel Hill, Hardy has recorded 109 career tackles, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and two pass breakups. Hardy has also served as the football program's representative in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), as well as participating in numerous community service events such as Habitat for Humanity, local middle/elementary school visits, children's hospital visits and Team Impact.
The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. 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.
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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.
Hardy graduated early in May 2025 with a degree in business administration after just three seasons in the Carolina Football program, maintaining a 3.797 grade point average. He is a currently pursuing a master's degree in accounting and is three-time All-ACC Academic Team and ACC Honor Roll recipient.Â
Hardy has started all four games at safety for the Tar Heels this season. The Lawrenceville, Georgia, product has tallied 15 tackles, including 10 solo stops and a tackle for loss.
During his time in Chapel Hill, Hardy has recorded 109 career tackles, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, two interceptions and two pass breakups. Hardy has also served as the football program's representative in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), as well as participating in numerous community service events such as Habitat for Humanity, local middle/elementary school visits, children's hospital visits and Team Impact.
The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. 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.
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Players Mentioned
Defensive Back
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