Oklahoma – Center
Arts & Sciences – 3.91 GPA
Head Coach: Bob Stoops
Athletics Director: Joe Castiglione
University of Oklahoma center Ty Darlington was named the 26th recipient of the William V. Campbell Trophy, presented by Fidelity Investments and prominently displayed at its official home inside the New York Athletic Club, at the 58th National Football Foundation Annual Awards Dinner in New York City on Dec. 8, 2015.
“Ty Darlington’s exceptional accomplishments rank him among the best student-athletes in the history of our sport, making him the ideal Campbell Trophy recipient,” said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. “He truly embodies the NFF’s mission of building leaders through football, and we are proud to have him as a member of this elite fraternity. We look forward to watching the future unfold for this incredible young man.”
“Ty and his fellow members of the 2015 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class represent more than just the standout athletic ability one sees on the field,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning, whose sons Peyton (Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “Their academic achievements and their contributions as leaders in the community send a powerful message about the young men who play our sport. They have taken full advantage of the educational opportunities created by college football, and they have created a compelling legacy for others to follow.”
The recipient of the 2015 1A FAR Academic Excellence Award, Darlington has been called “an athletics director in training” by Oklahoma Director of Athletics Joe Castiglione. He boasts an impressive academic resume as a two-time First-Team Academic All-American and two-time First Team Academic All-District selection. Darlington maintained a 3.91 GPA while earning a bachelor’s degree in arts & sciences in just 2.5 years. The 2015 Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year for football graduated in December 2014 and is already working toward a master’s degree in higher education. His numerous Big 12 accolades include the Dr. Gerald Lage Award, the highest academic honor given to a student-athlete by the conference, a two-time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 selection and a six-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
The Apopka, Fla., native has played a key role in Oklahoma’s offense, leading the Sooners to the 2015 Big 12 Conference title. The team will play Clemson in the 2015 Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 31 in the College Football Playoff Semifinals after posting an 11-1 record in the regular season. Darlington leads a Sooners offense that is nationally-ranked in the top five in scoring and the top ten in total offense. Oklahoma had more than 500 yards of total offense in nine of its 12 games, and Darlington guided the Sooners to six games of more than 250 rushing yards and four games of more than 400 passing yards. He blocked for eight individual 100-yard rushing performances in 2015 while helping the team average 45.8 points per game and outscore opponents by 300 points.
In 2014, he anchored a Sooner offensive line that allowed just nine sacks in 386 passing attempts. Darlington was the lead blocker for running back Samaje Perine, who set the FBS single-game rushing record for yards in a game last season (427 vs. Kansas). The team captain blocked for four 200-plus-yard single-game rushers and five 100-yard single-game rushers in 2014. He helped the Sooners to an 8-5 record and an appearance in the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl. During his junior campaign, Oklahoma led the Big 12 and ranked 12th in the country in rushing offense (3,395). Darlington was also a member of the 2013 squad that finished 11-2 after a 45-31 win over Alabama in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
The recipient of the 2015 Wuerffel Trophy, Darlington’s commitment to excellence extends to his work in the community service, represented by his receiving of the 2015 University of Oklahoma Letzeiser Award, one of the highest student awards at OU based on leadership, scholarship and service. He has served as president of the Big 12 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He led the Oklahoma’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter as its president for the last two years, participating in 10 to 15 speaking engagements per semester on behalf of the organization. Darlington twice visited Haiti as part of the Mission of Hope program, repairing damage caused by a massive earthquake. He also represented the Big 12 at the 2015 NCAA Convention and at the conference’s “State of College Athletics” Forum.
Following the Annual Awards Dinner, Darlington received several additional honors. On Dec. 9, the New York Athletic Club (NYAC) hosted a luncheon in his honor at the organization’s Hall of Fame Room. From there, he headed directly to Atlanta for the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show at the College Football Hall of Fame, where he was interviewed live during the show. Finally, he will be honored on-field during the College Football Playoff National Championship in Glendale, Ariz., on Jan. 11, 2016.
Darlington is Oklahoma’s first Campbell Trophy winner and the school’s 10th NFF National Scholar-Athlete, following Gabe Ikard (2013), Carl Pendleton (2006), Renaldo Works (2003), Evan Gatewood (1986), Jay McKim (1980), Lee Roy Selmon (1975), Randy Hughes (1974), Joe Wylie (1972) and Jack Mildren (1971). He becomes the Big 12’s first Campbell Trophy recipient since 2010.
Darlington is now the offensive recruiting cordiantor and tight end assistant for the Florida Gators.
