NFF National Scholar-Athletes
James Conway, LB – Fordham
3.71 GPA – Marketing Information Systems
Head Coach: Joe Conlin | Athletics Director: Charles Guthrie
Faculty Athletics Representative: Chris Dietrich
Jefferson Walker Kirby Scholar-Athlete Award Endowed by the F.M. Kirby Foundation
On pace to become the all-time leading tackler in FCS history, James Conway has been the cornerstone of Fordham's defense and a consummate student-athlete throughout his four-year career. The Omaha, Nebraska, native now becomes the second NFF National Scholar-Athlete from Fordham, joining his former teammate Ryan Greenhagen, who was honored in 2022.
Conway has excelled academically, graduating magna cum laude with a 3.71 GPA in May 2025 as a marketing information systems major. A two-time CSC Academic All-District selection and four-time member of the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll, Conway is currently pursuing a master's degree in artificial intelligence. He was a finalist for the FedEx Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award in 2024, which goes to the top FCS football student-athlete.
A two-year captain, Conway is a four-time All-Patriot League honoree, including three First Team selections. He currently is leading all active FCS players with 539 career tackles, which is 11 shy of the NCAA FCS record of 550 set by NFF College Football Hall of Famer Boomer Grigsby (Illinois State). The 2022 Sophomore All-American already holds the Fordham and Patriot League career tackles records. This season, Conway leads the FCS in total tackles (103) and tackles per game (14.7).
Conway helped the 2022 team to a 9-3 record and an FCS Playoff appearance, with the squad finishing No. 16 nationally. He has led the team in tackles every year of his career and set a Fordham freshman record with 131 tackles in 2021.
Conway volunteers with Part of the Solution (POTS), a leading Bronx soup kitchen and social services provider; participates in Team IMPACT initiatives welcoming young patients to practices and games; and visits local elementary schools to read to students.
(All stats as of Oct. 22, 2025)
