The NFF spotlight in Vegas features:

• ✧ 22 Legends to be Immortalized: 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Inductions

  ✧ Nation's Top Scholar-Athlete to Receive Prestigious Campbell Trophy®

  ✧ $300,000 in Postgraduate Scholarships Awarded to 16 Elite Student-Athletes

  ✧ Hall of Fame Royalty Returns: 50+ Former Inductees to Join the Festivities

  ✧ Dynamic Charles Davis to Lead as Master of Ceremonies

  ✧ College Football Trailblazers Honored for Major Contributions

  ✧ Comedian, Actor Josh Mancuso to Take Over NFF Social Media Accounts

  ✧ Four Defensive Stars Compete for the Lott IMPACT® Trophy

  ✧ MEAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year Unveiled

  ✧ Olympic Spirit Shines: USOPC to Honor Collegiate Medal Counts

  ✧ Over 125 Colleges and Universities Unite in Vegas Celebration

  ✧ Big Names Take the Stage: Archie Manning, Archie Griffin, Joel Klatt & More

  ✧ A Collector's Dream: World-Class Auction Features Super Bowl Tickets and More

  ✧ SBJ Intercollegiate Athletics Forum Offers Crucial Insights on Future College Sports

  ✧ Close to 2,000 Expected to Attend, Including Bowl, Conference and Media Leaders

  ✧ Watch It Live: ESPN+ Brings the Excitement to Fans Nationwide

 
IRVING, Texas (Nov. 25, 2024) – Anticipation continues to build as the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame prepares for the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas, which will take place Dec. 10 at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. As part of a tradition that stretches back to 1958, the storied black-tie affair serves as the culmination of the college football regular season.
 
The star-studded 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class headlines the event, and 16 of the game's current stars will be honored as members of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments®. One of the 16 student-athletes will also be recognized as the recipient of the coveted William V. Campbell Trophy®, which has been annually awarded to the nation's top football scholar-athlete during the event since 1990.  
66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas – 6 p.m. PT on ESPN+
 
NFF Annual Awards Press Conference Presented by SideQuests – 9 a.m. PT on ESPN+

• Featuring the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class and the 2024 MEAC Player of the Year Announcement

For more information on the event, visit the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Website.

For more information on covering the event as media, visit NFF Media Central.

"All of us at the National Football Foundation are excited about returning to Las Vegas for the fourth consecutive year," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "Many people have come together to support this year's event, and we especially want to thank the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and CEO/President Steve Hill for serving as the event's presenting sponsor. As the bridge between the regular season and the bowl season, the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas provides a unique setting where we briefly set aside intense rivalries to join together to celebrate our sport."
 
Since 1958, when U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower accepted the NFF Gold Medal at the inaugural event, the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas has proven to be one of our nation's most magnetic affairs, attracting giants of industry and leaders from all walks of life. The storied event has become the one night of the year that brings together all entities of college football to celebrate the game.
 
"The NFF Annual Awards Dinner is a one-of-a-kind celebration that showcases the very best of college football," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Our 2024 honorees have achieved incredible milestones, inspiring us all with their dedication and excellence. They set a standard for future generations to follow, and we're proud to honor their legacies. December 10 will be an unforgettable evening for anyone who loves college football—a true celebration of our game's greatest legends!"
 
Rafanelli Events, led by President Deborah Farley, is serving as the event coordinator and producer for the 66th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas. The Awards Dinner on Tuesday night is being executive produced by Steve Hubbard and James Avery of Element Experiential. The videos featured in the program are being produced by Dallas-based LDWW.  
With more than 125 colleges and universities, 19 college commissioners and more than 50 returning members of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame in attendance, the night will feature several well-known football luminaries. ESPN+ will stream the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas live, beginning at 6 p.m. PT via this link.

Participants and honorees include (in order of appearance):

• Master of Ceremonies: Charles Davis, CBS Sports & NFL Network Broadcaster
• National Anthem: Sierra Black, Country Music Singer & Songwriter
• Invocation: Tyrone P. Jones, Church for the City Lead Pastor
• Official Welcome: Steve Hill, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO/President
• Recognition of the 2024 NFF Legacy Award recipients: Mike Aresco, former American Atheltic Conference Commissioner, Jon Buter, former Pop Warner Little Scholars Executive Director, Tom Cove, former Sports & Fitness Industry Association President & CEO, Tom McMillen, former LEAD 1 Association President & CEO
• Recognition of the 2024 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Players of the Year and the NFF Chapter Leadership Award recipients
• Recognition of the 2024 NFF Chris Schenkel Award recipient: John Morris, the Voice of the Baylor Bears
• Recognition of the 2024 NFF John L. Toner Award recipient: Warde Manuel, University of Michigan Director of Athletics
• Recognition of the 2024 NFF Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Recipient: the late Buddy Teevens, Head Football Coach (Maine, Dartmouth, Tulane, Stanford) and Innovator
• Introduction of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments®: Kathleen Murphy, NFF Vice Chairwoman
• Awarding of the 35th William V. Campbell Trophy®: Jack Ford, NFF Vice Chairman, TV personality and former Yale defensive back
• Introduction of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class: Archie Griffin, NFF Board Member and 1986 Hall of Fame inductee from Ohio State
• Panel discussion with three members of the 2024 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class
• Official College Football Hall of Fame Ring Ceremony: Archie Manning, NFF Chairman and 1989 Hall of Fame inductee from Mississippi
• "God Bless America": Daniel Rodriguez, America's Beloved Tenor

 
The induction of the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class serves as the highlight of the evening and provides the ultimate stage for the gridiron's greatest legends to take their rightful place among the immortals of the game.
 
This year's class includes 19 First Team All-Americans, four coaches, 8 unanimous First Team All-Americans, eight consensus First Team All-Americans, 8 multi-year First Team All-Americans, 10 winners of college football major awards and three national coaches of the year.
 
The 2024 College Football Hall of Fame Class includes: 

• Justin Blackmon – WR, Oklahoma State (2009-11)
• Paul Cameron (Posthumously) – HB, UCLA (1951-53)
• Tim Couch – QB, Kentucky (1996-98)
• Warrick Dunn – RB, Florida State (1993-96)
• Armanti Edwards – QB, Appalachian State (2006-09)
• Deon Figures – CB, Colorado (1988, 1990-92)
• Larry Fitzgerald – WR, Pittsburgh (2002-03)
• Toby Gerhart – RB, Stanford (2006-09)
• Dan Hampton – DT, Arkansas (1975-78)
• Steve Hutchinson – OG, Michigan (1997-2000)
• Antonio Langham – CB, Alabama (1990-93)
• Randy Moss – WR/KR, Marshall (1996-97)
• Julius Peppers – DE, North Carolina (1999-2001)
• Paul Posluszny – LB, Penn State (2003-06)
• Dewey Selmon – NG, Oklahoma (1972-75)
• Alex Smith – QB, Utah (2002-04)
• Kevin Smith – CB, Texas A&M (1988-91)
• Chris Ward – OT, Ohio State (1974-77)
• Danny Woodhead – RB, Chadron State [NE] (2004-07)
• Coach Mark Dantonio – Cincinnati (2004-06), Michigan State (2007-19)
• Coach Danny Hale – West Chester [PA] (1984-88), Bloomsburg [PA] (1993-2012) 
• Coach Frank Solich – Nebraska (1998-2003), Ohio (2005-2020) 

The 16 members of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments® begin their festivities on Monday, Dec. 9, with a Scholar-Athlete Dinner presented by Fidelity Investments at Emmitt's Vegas. The hottest restaurant on the Strip is the newest venture of former Florida running back Emmitt Smith, a member of the NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class of 2006.  

The 16 honorees, who will each vie as a finalist for the 2024 William V. Campbell Trophy® as the nation's top football scholar-athlete, boast an outstanding 3.77 average GPA. Other class accolades include 15 captains, 13 players who have already graduated, 10 Academic All-Americans and 15 academic all-conference selections. Fifteen of the finalists will play in the post-season and eight currently play on teams currently ranked in the College Football Playoff Top 25.
 
Each Scholar-Athlete receives an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship with the recipient of the Campbell Trophy® claiming a grand total of $25,000.
 
The finalists for the 2024 Campbell Trophy® include: 

• Tahj Brooks, RB – Texas Tech (3.55 GPA – Sport Management)
• Robert Coury, LB – Carnegie Mellon [PA] (3.97 GPA – Mechanical Engineering)
• Jaxson Dart, QB – Ole Miss (3.71 GPA – Business)
• Beau Freyler, DB – Iowa State (3.91 GPA – Kinesiology) 
• Dillon Gabriel, QB – Oregon (3.43 GPA – Multidisciplinary Studies)
• Ashton Gillotte, DL – Louisville (3.69 GPA – Communications) 
• Brody Grebe, DE – Montana State (3.93 GPA – Mechanical Engineering)
• Mark Gronowski, QB – South Dakota State (3.76 GPA – Mechanical Engineering)
• Terrance Hollon, LB – Howard (3.90 GPA – Health Science) 
• Jack Kiser, LB – Notre Dame (3.82 GPA – Business Analytics) 
• Luke Lehnen, QB – North Central [IL] (3.76 GPA – Exercise Science) 
• Brayden Long, QB – Slippery Rock [PA] (4.00 GPA – Sport Management) 
• Jake Majors, C – Texas (3.65 GPA – Business Management) 
• Seth McLaughlin, C – Ohio State (4.00 GPA – Finance) 
• Jalen Milroe, QB – Alabama (3.52 GPA – Management)
• Jackson Woodard, LB – UNLV (3.77 GPA – Kinesiology)

The morning press conference will give media a chance to hear from the 2024 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class. The press conference will also include the announcement of the 2024 MEAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. Media and fans can watch the entire press conference live on ESPN+ via this link.
 
The press conference will feature: 

• Press Conference Moderator: Kevin Trainor, University of Arkansas Senior Associate Athletics Director
• Comments on the State of the NFF: Steve Hatchell, NFF President & CEO
• Comments from the 2024 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class
• Announcement of the MEAC Players of the Year: Sonja O. Stills, MEAC Commissioner

 
The NFF will recognize the recipients of the 2024 NFF Chapter Leadership Awards during the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas. They will also be celebrated during a dinner held on Monday night. The awards annually recognize five individuals, one from each region of the country, for their commitment, generosity and leadership at the local level. 

• Todd Fultz – NFF Minnesota [Minneapolis] Chapter (Midwest Region)
• Christian Gascou – NFF Los Angeles Chapter (West Region)
• John Kulka – Central Pennsylvania [Centre County] Chapter (East Region)
• Kerri Lamb – Vermont Chapter (Northeast Region)
• Lanness Robinson II – Tampa Chapter (South Region)

 
Dec. 9 – Lott IMPACT® Trophy Presented by Allied Universal Announcement
 
The NFF is partnering for the first time with the Pacific Club IMPACT® Foundation to host an event awarding the 2024 Lott IMPACT® Trophy to the nation's top defensive player who also exhibits the characteristics and integrity of Ronnie Lott by making an IMPACT® on and off the field. The announcement of the winner will take place Monday, Dec. 9, at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, one day before the NFF Annual Awards Dinner. 

• Host: Joel Klatt, FOX Sports Lead College Football Analyst
• Award Namesake: Ronnie Lott, College Football Hall of Fame inductee (Southern California) and NFF Trustee
• 2024 Finalists to be announced.

 
Dec. 10 - U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee College Awards
 
The NFF is partnering with the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) to present the 2024 Team USA Collegiate Recognition Awards, which honor the colleges that contributed the most medals during the 2024 games, and the National Governing Body (NGB) Collegiate Impact Awards. The event marks the second time the two organizations have collaborated to celebrate the value of Olympic and Paralympic sports on campus and the key role football plays in supporting varsity Olympic and Paralympic sport opportunities. The awards will be presented at a luncheon on Dec. 10 at Bellagio Hotel & Casino, the same date and location of the NFF Annual Awards Dinner.
 
The 2024 Team USA Collegiate Recognition Award recipients for contributing the most medals:

• Olympic Gold Award: Stanford University (23 U.S. medalists)
• Olympic Silver Award: Penn State University (12 U.S. medalists)
• Olympic Bronze Award: University of Texas and University of Kentucky (9 U.S. medalists)
• Paralympic Gold Award: University of Illinois (20 U.S. medalists) 

The 2024 NGB Collegiate Impact Award recipients for sport-specific contributions:

• 2024 USA Rowing Collegiate Impact Award: University of Washington
• 2024 USA Fencing Collegiate Impact Award: Harvard University
• 2024 USA Swimming Collegiate Impact Award: University of Virginia
• 2024 USA Volleyball Collegiate Impact Award: Penn State University
• 2024 USA Water Polo Collegiate Impact Award: Stanford University
• 2024 USA Wrestling Collegiate Impact Award: University of Iowa

 
Dec. 10-11 - SBJ Intercollegiate Athletics Forum with presenting partner Learfield
 
The NFF has once again partnered with the Sports Business Journal in helping promote the SBJ Intercollegiate Athletics Forum, which takes place Dec. 10-11 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. This year, the NFF will again send a member of the 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments to speak at the forum as part of a panel discussing the experiences and challenges of being a high-performing student-athlete. The panel will take place on Dec. 11 at 1:00 p.m. PT. 

• Panel Moderator: Erin Adkins, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, NIL Operations & Sport Administration, UCLA
• Participating 2024 NFF National Scholar-Athlete: Jackson Woodard (UNLV)

The NFF thanks its partners and supporters, who champion the organization and its mission all year as well as the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas and surrounding events: 

• Bruin Capital
• CAA Executive Search
• Catapult Sports
• College Football Playoff
• Delta Air Lines
• Fidelity Investments
• Hampshire Foundation
• Jostens
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
• LDWW
• New York Athletic Club
• "The Original" Bob's Steak & Chop House
• The Pasadena Tournament of Roses
• Riddell
• Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation
• SideQuests
• Sports Business Journal
• United States Naval Academy Department of Athletics

   
The following companies and organizations are helping support the NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas and surrounding events: 

• Beasley Media Group
• ESPN
• FOX Sports
• FWAA
• iSix
• Learfield
• Lott Impact Trophy
• Sinclair Broadcast Group