Robby Ballentine, DePauw ’26, Chosen as Campbell Trophy Finalist
Phi Delta Theta brother and DePauw wide receiver Robby Ballentine, ’26, is one of sixteen finalists, announced by the National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame, for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football’s premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership.
The sixteen finalists were selected from an impressive one-hundred eighty nationwide from among all NCAA divisions and the NAIA. Each finalist will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as members of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments®.
Submitted by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, candidates for the Campbell Trophy® must be either a senior player who will complete his final year of eligibility during the 2025 season or be a graduated player or grad transfer who has already earned a bachelor’s degree and participating in the 2025 season; must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale; must have outstanding football ability as a starter/significant contributor; and must have exhibited exemplary leadership on the field, in the classroom and within the community.
The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports.
“Each year, we are thrilled to announce the finalists for the Campbell Trophy®,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, “these finalists exemplify the very best that our sport has to offer on the field, in the classroom and as leaders in their communities. They exude excellence in all areas of their lives, and we know they have only begun to reach their potential.”
Excellence on the Field, in the Classroom, and The Bond
Brother Ballentine embodies Phi Delta Theta’s values of Friendship, Sound Learning, and Rectitude, setting the standard for what it means to be a Phi Delt both on and off the field. Not only is Ballentine a record-breaking wide receiver and standout leader to his team, he has also distinguished himself as a model scholar-athlete. Studying biochemistry, Ballentine holds a 3.92 GPA and serves as academic chair for Indiana Zeta. In his free time, he volunteers as a youth mentor for the Lake County Veterans Treatment Court.
A 2024 First Team Academic All-American, Ballentine earned a place on the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll and has been recognized six times on both the Tiger Pride Honor Roll and DePauw’s Dean’s List. He earned the Phi Delta Theta Albert Lund Scholarship, and he has been inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma national scholar-athlete honor society. Ballentine plans to pursue a postgraduate career in dentistry.
On the field, Ballentine’s achievements are equally impressive. A 2024 D3football.com Second Team All-American and two-time First Team All-NCAC selection, he holds DePauw’s all-time record for touchdown receptions (forty-seven) and broke the NCAC single-season record with twenty receiving touchdowns last year. His name appears near the top of multiple NCAA statistical categories, ranking among the national leaders in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.
As a three-year letter winner and 2025 team captain, Ballentine has helped lead DePauw to three consecutive NCAC titles and Division III playoff appearances, including the program’s first-ever eleven-win season in 2024 and back to back 10-0 regular seasons. The No. 16-ranked Tigers currently sit at 5–1, continuing their strong run with Robby and his brother Scott Ballentine (the team’s quarterback) leading the team.
