Oklahoma State linebacker Ethan Wesloski has put together the kind of résumé that gets noticed on both sides of the ball and in the classroom. On Wednesday, the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame named him one of 18 national finalists for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, better known as the “Academic Heisman.”
The award honors college football players for academic achievement, on-field performance and leadership, and Wesloski made the cut from a field of 206 semifinalists. He is one of seven defensive players, three linebackers and two Big 12 players among the final 18.
Wesloski’s academic work has been just as strong as his play. He graduated magna cum laude from North Texas in December 2025 with a 3.86 GPA and a degree in kinesiology and exercise science. He is now working toward a master’s degree in human performance with a concentration in applied exercise science.
His academic honors at North Texas piled up, too. Wesloski earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recognition twice and collected two American Conference All-Academic Team selections. He also made the President’s List five times and the Dean’s List twice.
After three seasons at North Texas, he transferred to Oklahoma State in 2026 and immediately stepped into a leadership role. Wesloski was named a team captain in his first season with the Cowboys and represented the program at Big 12 Media Days.
His production has matched the reputation. Through the first half of the 2026 season, Wesloski ranks second among Power Four players with 10.3 tackles per game. He is also the only FBS player to post multiple 17-tackle games this season.
The honor also places him in select company within Oklahoma State history. Wesloski is the Cowboys’ sixth NFF National Scholar-Athlete and the program’s first since Brad Lundblade in 2017. The others are Billy Bajema in 2004, Kyle Eaton in 2002, Doug Freeman in 1982 and Rex Russell in 1962.
All 18 finalists will be awarded an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and recognized at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The Campbell Trophy winner will be revealed during the ceremony and will receive a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship.
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