O’Connor Named Semifinalist for Campbell Trophy
Sep 23 | Football
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – LS Michael O'Connor represents Rutgers football as a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, the National Football Foundation announced Wednesday. The award recognizes an individual as the absolute best football scholar-athlete in the nation for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.
A team captain for the Scarlet Knights, O'Connor has played in 26 career games and served as the primary long snapper since the start of the 2025 season. The unit ranks 11th nationally with a net punting average of 45.0 yards, executing a successful fake for a gain of 40 yards versus USC. The field goal team is 11-for-11 on extra points.
O'Connor is also a member of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list and Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team for service off the field. A native of Middletown, New Jersey, he has been a key contributor since arriving on campus to Chop4Change, Rutgers football's initiative to give back to the community. That includes participation in events such as Special Olympics New Jersey, Move the Spectrum, the winter coat drive and more.
O'Connor is a graduate student in the Rutgers Business School in the supply chain management program after earning his undergraduate degree in leadership and management. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, he was part of the Scarlet Knights' nation-leading National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society contingent.
To be eligible for the Campbell Trophy, a student-athlete must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
The Scarlet Knights host Howard Friday at 7 p.m., presented by GGL Injury Lawyers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
A team captain for the Scarlet Knights, O'Connor has played in 26 career games and served as the primary long snapper since the start of the 2025 season. The unit ranks 11th nationally with a net punting average of 45.0 yards, executing a successful fake for a gain of 40 yards versus USC. The field goal team is 11-for-11 on extra points.
O'Connor is also a member of the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy watch list and Allstate American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team for service off the field. A native of Middletown, New Jersey, he has been a key contributor since arriving on campus to Chop4Change, Rutgers football's initiative to give back to the community. That includes participation in events such as Special Olympics New Jersey, Move the Spectrum, the winter coat drive and more.
O'Connor is a graduate student in the Rutgers Business School in the supply chain management program after earning his undergraduate degree in leadership and management. A four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, he was part of the Scarlet Knights' nation-leading National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society contingent.
To be eligible for the Campbell Trophy, a student-athlete must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.
The Scarlet Knights host Howard Friday at 7 p.m., presented by GGL Injury Lawyers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network.
Follow Rutgers football on X (@RFootball & @RUboardwalk), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball & @ruboardwalk) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel.
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