Josh Gesky, Illinois offensive lineman | University of Illinois Fighting Illini Men's Football
Josh Gesky, Illinois offensive lineman | University of Illinois Fighting Illini Men's Football
Illinois offensive lineman Josh Gesky has been named a semifinalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy, according to an announcement from the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) on Wednesday.
The Campbell Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top football scholar-athlete, recognizing academic achievement, football performance, and leadership. This year, 177 student-athletes from all NCAA and NAIA divisions were nominated. To be eligible, nominees must be seniors completing their final season in 2025 or graduate students who have already earned a degree and will play in 2025. Candidates must also maintain at least a 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale, demonstrate outstanding football ability as either first team players or significant contributors, and show strong leadership and citizenship.
Recent recipients of the Campbell Trophy include Jalen Milroe (Alabama) in 2024, Bo Nix (Oregon) in 2023, and Jack Campbell (Iowa) in 2022.
Gesky has appeared in 39 games with 25 starts since redshirting as a freshman in 2021. He is a two-time All-Big Ten honorable mention selection by coaches and media for both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. During his time with Illinois, the team has posted a combined record of 31-23 since 2021.
He was part of Illinois teams that competed in both the Reliaquest Bowl in 2022 and the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in 2024. The Fighting Illini finished the most recent season with a record of 10-3—matching the program's single-season wins record—and ranked #16 in the final AP Top 25 following their victory over #14 South Carolina in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
Gesky's academic achievements include being named a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar three times (from academic years 2022-23 through 2024-25), earning Academic All-Big Ten honors for three consecutive years (2022–24), being selected twice to CSC Academic All-District teams (in both 2023 and 2024), and induction into Chi Alpha Sigma in 2024.
"The Campbell Trophy recognizes an individual as the best football scholar-athlete in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership," according to information provided by NFF.
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