Football | September 27

DeKALB, IL – Northern Illinois University senior defensive tackle James Ester (Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech) has been named a semifinalist for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy®, as announced by the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday. The award annually recognizes the top football scholar-athlete in the nation and is selected from across all divisions of college football.
 
Ester played in the 40^th game of his collegiate career last week against Tulsa, recording a pair of tackles and his first career fumble recovery. He has 11 tackles on the season through four games with 2.5 tackles for loss.
 
The senior had a career year in 2022, setting career-highs with 28 tackles, six tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. He also tied a career high with two sacks. Ester scored his first career touchdown in NIU's 39-10 win at Eastern Michigan on Oct. 15, 2022, intercepting a pass in the Eagles' end zone to put NIU ahead 7-0.
 
He had 25 tackles in the Huskies' 2021 Mid-American Conference Championship season, adding 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Ester is second among all current NIU defensive linemen with 16 career tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
 
"James is a guy who came into our program, he has developed and is very deserving of this honor," said head coach Thomas Hammock. "He's an excellent student, a strong player and a great leader who understands what leadership takes both in the good times and through adversity. James is the heartbeat of our defense, he's given his all to this program and he's got a very bright future."
 
A two-time All-MAC selection, Ester earned his Bachelor's degree in Communications this past May and is currently pursuing his Master's in Sports Management. Off the field Ester has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and Camp Power as well as Meals on Wheels in his hometown of Detroit.
 
A record number of 201 student-athletes were named semifinalists Wednesday. The NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 25, and each finalist will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The winner of the Campbell Trophy will be announced on Dec. 5.
 
NIU opens MAC play on Saturday, Sept. 30 at reigning MAC champions Toledo. Kickoff is at 2:30 p.m. CT with the game being broadcast on ESPNU.
 
--NIU--