Newberry’s James a Semifinalist for NFF Campbell Trophy

DALLAS - Newberry College senior offensive lineman Lequawn James has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy presented by the National Football Foundation, the NFF announced on Thursday.

In addition to his semifinalist candidacy for the Campbell Trophy (which was previously known as the Draddy Trophy), endowed by HealthSouth, James is also eligible for a 2011 NFF Scholar-Athlete Award. A total of 127 semifinalists were announced, with only 11 coming from the Division II ranks.

James's candidacy marks the third consecutive season a Newberry player has been up for these awards. Newberry and Wayne State (Mich.) are the only Division II schools with a candidate in each of the last three seasons. James' candidacy follows Matt Holmes in 2010 and Brandon Gantt in 2009.

James, a senior from North, S.C., is a three-year starter at guard for the Wolves, and is one of the original members of Newberry's esteemed Order of the Gray Stripe. A captain for the 2011 season, James has been part of an offensive line which has been amongst the nation's leaders in sacks allowed for three seasons. In 2009, the line allowed a sack every 30.6 pass dropbacks and allowed a sack every 30.4 dropbacks in 2010. Currently in the 2011 season, the Wolves rank third in the nation in sacks allowed, giving up just one sack in the first four games of the season.

James has been a member of the South Atlantic Conference Commissioner's Honor Roll for three years, as well as the Newberry College Dean's List. He was a junior class marshal and will graduate in May 2012 with his nursing degree. He has been a resident advisor for three years and was named the Resident Advisor of the Year in one year. He is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Christians Living Among You and the Metoka Galeda choir.

Just 11 Division II players were recognized this season, with James and Wingate's Cody Haffly the only South Atlantic Conference representatives. James and Clemson punter Dawson Zimmerman are the only players from institutions in South Carolina on the list.