Neither are on track to contend for the Heisman Trophy this year, but Georgia’s Aaron Murray and Fresno State’s Derek Carr are both up for the William V. Campbell Trophy -- otherwise known as the Academic Heisman.
The two quarterbacks are among 18 finalists announced by the National Football Foundation on Thursday, joining six other FBS players: Michigan State LB Max Bullough, Oklahoma OL Gabe Ikard, Nebraska OL Spencer Long, Iowa LB James Morris, Duke OL Perry Simmons and Penn State OL John Urschel.
The other finalists: Northwest Missouri State QB Trevor Adams, Johns Hopkins (Md.) LB John Arena, Coastal Carolina WR Niccolo Mastromatteo, Cornell QB Jeff Mathews, Texas A&M-San Antonio QB Eric Soza, West Texas A&M QB Dustin Vaughn, Appalachian State WR Tony Washington and Augustana (Ill.) LB Erik Westerberg.
The Campbell Trophy/Academic Heisman will be awarded on Dec. 10 in New York.