Above photo of Sante Parker Jr. (in the UMHB uniform on the left) by Russell Marwitz/True To The Cru/russellmarwitz.com
BELTON- UMHB defensive end Sante Parker Jr. is now in the running for one of college football’s most prestigious awards.
The senior was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy on Wednesday morning, and it is a high honor, considering this annual award recognizes the most outstanding scholar-athletes within college football.
According to a release from the UMHB athletics department, the list of nominees boasts a combined GPA of 3.62.
There are 156 semifinalists, spanning across all three NCAA divisions, as well as the NAIA. Parker and Hardin-Simmons punter Cody Harral represent the American Southwest Conference on the list, and are two of 29 D-III semifinalists.
Pursuing a degree as a computer science major, with a specialization in cybersecurity, Parker has maintained a 3.93 GPA, and been named to the Provost’s Honor Roll on five occasions. Additionally, the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) has twice named Parker an Academic All-American.
“By all accounts and statistical measures, Sante Parker, Jr. is a prime example of what the William V. Campbell trophy stands for,” UMHB head coach Larry Harmon said in UMHB’s press release. “Sante is a leader of his peers on the field, in the classroom and in the community.”
As a mature standout on a younger defense, Parker’s leadership has been important this season, and he also serves as one of UMHB’s four team captains. In four games thus far, he has tallied 12 tackles, with 3.5 for loss.
The National Football Foundation will announce between 12-14 finalists on Oct. 26. According to UMHB’s press release, “each finalist receives an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2022 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class.”
Great accomplishment sure hope he wins the award…… can remember when he was a freshman with that deer in headlights look, now the deer fear him 🏈🤩👍