National Football Foundation

A dynamic playmaker on the field, Chandler Harnish is one of the top students at Northern Illinois University, and a leader in the community. He becomes the third NFF National Scholar-Athlete in school history.

A three-time Academic All-MAC honoree, Harnish was named a Victory Scholar in NIU's Academic Excellence Program. He was also chosen as a school representative for NIU's College of Business. Harnish has twice been selected as the MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week.

A four-year starter, Harnish is on track to become the only quarterback in school history to lead the Huskies to four bowl games. Harnish currently ranks 14th nationally in total offense, connecting on 135-of-215 passes for 1,697 yards with 12 touchdowns and four interceptions while rushing 94 times for 738 yards and eight scores. He became just the 11th player in FBS history to pass and rush for 200 yards when he threw for 203 yards and added a career-high 229 rushing yards in a win over Western Michigan on October 15th of this year. Harnish was named a First Team All-MAC performer in 2010 when he lead the Huskies to a school-record 11 wins, a MAC West championship and a victory in the uDrove Humanitarian Bowl over Fresno State. With career marks of 585-of-941 passing (62.2 percent) for 7,425 yards with 52 touchdowns and 24 interceptions (a 141.58 passer rating) while rushing 438 times for 2,342 yards and 21 touchdowns, Harnish ranks among the top two in all major career passing and total offense school records, and nationally he is among the top 20 in all active career leaders for passing and total offense.

Harnish organized and ran Northern Illinois' women's football clinic; has served as a guest speaker at numerous youth football and school groups; and conducted a football camp at an area school last summer. The winner of the 2010 uDrove Humanitarian Award, he often visits underprivileged children and local retirement homes, and helps conducts clothing drives at a local battered women's shelter. Harnish was selected in the seventh round (253rd overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts and spent two seasons with the team. He played with the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 and is currently a member of the Arizona Cardinals. He currently serves as an assistant branch manager at Fire Protection at Shambaugh & Son LP in Chicago.