Harding University senior running back Andrew Miller of Searcy has been named a finalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy, college football’s top scholar-athlete award, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame announced Wednesday, October 21.
Known as the “Academic Heisman,” the Campbell Trophy is in its 37th year of honoring the nation’s best football scholar-athlete for academic success, football performance and community leadership.
As a finalist, Miller becomes a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments and will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship.
Searcy Native Selected From Record Field of 206 Semifinalists
Miller was selected from a record pool of 206 semifinalists from every level of college football, including FBS, FCS, Division II, Division III and NAIA.
He is one of only a few non-FBS players in the nation chosen as a finalist.
Miller’s selection marks the 2nd straight season a Harding player has received the honor. He is only the 2nd player in program history to earn it.
The 1st was his cousin, former All-American defensive back Ty Dugger, who was named a Campbell Trophy finalist and NFF National Scholar-Athlete in 2025.
Winner to Be Named December 8 in Las Vegas
Miller and the other finalists will be honored at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Tuesday, December 8, at the Bellagio Resort & Casino.
During the black-tie ceremony, 1 member of the class will be named the winner of the 37th Campbell Trophy, and that player’s postgraduate scholarship will increase to $25,000.
Coach Roddy Mote: “Andrew Represents Everything That Is Right”
“Andrew represents everything that is right about college athletics and Harding University,” said Harding head coach Roddy Mote. “To compete at a national championship level week in and week out while maintaining relentless dedication to his academics and serving others in the community requires an extraordinary level of discipline and character. Our entire football family, university, and community could not be prouder of Andrew on this well-deserved national honor.”
3.66 GPA and First-Team Academic All-American
Miller has a 3.66 cumulative grade-point average as a kinesiology major and is on pace to graduate in December 2026.
He was a 2025 College Sports Communicators First-Team Academic All-American and Academic All-District selection.
Miller is a 4-time Dean’s List honoree and a 2-time Great American Conference Academic Honor Roll recipient.
Among the Most Decorated Running Backs in College Football
Miller is a 2026 team captain and 3-year letterman for the No. 2-ranked Bisons, who are 7-0.
In 2025, he was a consensus First-Team All-American, a First-Team All-GAC selection and the national runner-up for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which goes to the top player in NCAA Division II.
He also won the 2025 Darren McFadden Award as the top college running back in Arkansas.
During the 2025 season, Miller broke 6 Harding single-season records, including rushing yards (2,048) and rushing touchdowns (28). Both ranked 2nd nationally in Division II.
He also set Harding’s single-game rushing record with 298 yards and 4 touchdowns on 21 carries against Henderson State.
Active Career Rushing Leader Across All of NCAA Football
Entering Week 8, Miller is the active career leader across all divisions of NCAA football in both rushing yards (4,526) and rushing touchdowns (65).
His 65 career touchdowns leave him just 1 shy of Cole Chancey’s all-time Harding record of 66.
Through 7 games in 2026, Miller has 152 carries for 908 yards and 15 touchdowns, leading the Great American Conference in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
Nationally, he ranks 3rd in Division II in rushing touchdowns, 5th in total points (90) and scoring (12.9 points per game), and 7th in rushing yards and rushing yards per game (129.7).
Harding’s offense leads NCAA Division II with 417.1 rushing yards per game.
National Champion and 3-Time Conference Champion
Miller helped lead Harding to a perfect 15-0 record and the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship.
The Bisons returned to the national championship game in 2025 and finished as national runners-up.
In 2024, Harding reached the Super Region 3 final and earned a No. 4 national ranking.
During Miller’s first 3 seasons, the Bisons won 3 straight Great American Conference championships and posted a 42-3 record.
Mentoring Searcy Elementary Students
Away from football, Miller takes part in Harding’s Bison Buddies program, visiting Searcy elementary schools each week to mentor young students.
He also regularly volunteers at area youth football camps.
“We are extremely proud to announce the finalists for the 2026 Campbell Trophy,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. “These young men have achieved extraordinary success on the field, in the classroom, and within their communities.”
Bisons Play at Arkansas-Monticello Saturday
Miller and No. 2 Harding travel to Monticello on Saturday, October 24, to face Great American Conference opponent Arkansas-Monticello at Willis “Convoy” Leslie Cotton Bowl Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2 PM.
Source: Harding University Athletics
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