WVU Safety Sean Mahone Named a Semifinalist for William V. Campbell Trophy

The William V. Campbell Trophy is sometimes referred to as the “Academic Heisman”. The National Football Federation of America awards the William V. Campbell Trophy to the college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance.

West Virginia redshirt senior safety Sean Mahone was named to the trophy’s watchlist back in August, and now he’s officially been named as a semifinalist for the prestigious honor.

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏 #CampbellTrophy 𝐬𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

☑️ @Sean32Mahone@NFFNetwork | #TrustTheClimb pic.twitter.com/gLYFIKDi8z

— WVU Football (@WVUfootball) September 29, 2021

Mahone has recorded 29 tackles (17 solo) in four games this season, helping to lead a veteran WVU defense to stifling performances against then-ranked Virginia Tech and then-No. 4 Oklahoma in consecutive weeks. In addition to his stellar on-field performance, he continues to excel in the classroom.

In the classroom, as a Management Information Systems major, he’s a four-time Academic All-Big 12 first-team honoree and coming off a 2020 CoSIDA Academic All-American second-team honor.

Mahone has recorded 168 tackles (108 solo), two sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble and defended six passes in his five seasons in Morgantown, starting the last three seasons.

The finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy will be announced in October.