The NFF spotlight in Vegas features:
 
✧ 22 Legends to be Immortalized: 2025 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
✧ MEAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year Unveiled
✧ Over 125 Colleges and Universities Unite in Vegas Celebration
✧ Big Names Take the Stage: Archie Manning, Archie Griffin, Lee Corso & More
✧ A Collector's Dream: World-Class Auction Features Super Bowl Tickets and More
✧ 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 (Dec. 3, 2025) – Anticipation continues to build as the National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame prepares for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas, which will take place Dec. 9 at the Bellagio Resort & 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 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class headlines the event, and 16 of the game's current stars will be honored as members of the 2025 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.  
67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas – 6:30 p.m. PT on ESPN+
 
NFF Annual Awards Press Conference Presented by Elite Media Networks – 9 a.m. PT on ESPN+

• Featuring the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class and the 2025 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.


"Returning to Las Vegas for the fifth straight year is truly special for all of us at the National Football Foundation," said NFF Chairman Archie Manning. "This city has embraced our mission, and we are grateful to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and CEO/President Steve Hill for their tremendous partnership. The NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas remains a rare moment on the college football calendar—when rivalries pause, friendships take center stage, and we honor the very best of 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 one of the sport's greatest traditions, and this year promises to be truly exceptional," said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. "Our 2025 Hall of Fame Class and National Scholar-Athletes represent the highest ideals of our game, personifying the highest levels of excellence on and off the field. Their achievements inspire all of us, and we look forward to honoring them on December 9 during a night that captures the full spirit of the game."
 
Rafanelli Events, led by President Deborah Farley, is serving as the event coordinator and producer for the 67th 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 2025 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Players of the Year and the NFF Chapter Leadership Award recipients
• Recognition of the 2025 NFF Legacy Award recipients: Norma Dean, Delta Air Lines Director of Specialty Sales; Steve Richardson, Football Writers Association of America Executive Director; Langston Rogers, Ole Miss Special Assistant to the Athletics Director for History; C. Paul Rogers III, SMU Dedman School of Law Professor of Law; and Gary P. Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc., CEO & President
• Recognition of the 2025 NFF Chris Schenkel Award recipient: Lee Corso, ESPN's College GameDay
• Recognition of the 2025 NFF John L. Toner Award recipient: Rob Mullens, University of Oregon Director of Athletics
• Recognition of the 2025 NFF Distinguished American Award Recipient: The Army-Navy Game
• Introduction of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments: Kathleen Murphy, NFF Vice Chairwoman
• Awarding of the 36th William V. Campbell Trophy^®: Jack Ford, NFF Vice Chairman, TV personality and former Yale defensive back
• Introduction of the 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class: Archie Griffin, NFF Board Member and 1986 Hall of Fame inductee from Ohio State
• Panel discussion with members of the 2025 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 2025 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 18 First Team All-Americans, four coaches, four unanimous First Team All-Americans, seven consensus First Team All-Americans, eight multi-year First Team All-Americans, eight winners of college football major awards and 12 national titles won by the coaches.
 
The 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class includes:

• Montee Ball, RB (2009-12) – University of Wisconsin
• Gregg Carr, LB (1981-84) – Auburn University
• Blake Elliott, WR (2000-03) – Saint John's University (MN)
• Greg Eslinger, C (2002-05) – University of Minnesota
• Terry Hanratty, QB (1966-68) – University of Notre Dame
• Graham Harrell, QB (2005-08) – Texas Tech University
• John Henderson, DT (1999-2001) – University of Tennessee
• Michael Huff, DB (2002-05) – University of Texas
• Jim Kleinsasser, TE (1995-98) – University of North Dakota
• Alex Mack, C (2005-08) – University of California
• Terrence Metcalf, OL (1997, 1999-2001) – University of Mississippi
• Haloti Ngata, DT (2002, 2004-05) – University of Oregon
• Steve Slaton, RB (2005-07) – West Virginia University
• Darrin Smith, LB (1989-92) – University of Miami
• Michael Strahan, DL (1989-92) – Texas Southern University
• Dennis Thurman, DB (1974-77) – University of Southern California
• Michael Vick, QB (1999-2000) – Virginia Tech
• Ryan Yarborough, WR (1990-93) – University of Wyoming

• Coach Larry Blakeney: Troy University (1991-2014)
• Coach Larry Korver: Northwestern College [IA] (1967-94)
• Coach Urban Meyer: Bowling Green State University (2001-02); University of Utah (2003-04); University of Florida (2005-10); Ohio State University (2012-18)
• Coach Nick Saban: University of Toledo (1990); Michigan State University (1995-99); LSU (2000-04); University of Alabama (2007-23)

 
 

The 16 members of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments® begin their festivities on Monday, Dec. 8, with a Scholar-Athlete Dinner presented by Fidelity Investments and hosted by Allegiant Stadium and the Las Vegas Raiders.

The 16 honorees, who will each vie as a finalist for the 2025 William V. Campbell Trophy^® as the nation's top football scholar-athlete, boast an outstanding 3.82 average GPA. Other class accolades include 16 captains, eight players who have already graduated, six Academic All-Americans and 15 all-conference selections. Eleven of the finalists will play in the post-season.
 
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 2025 Campbell Trophy® include:
 

• Robby Ballentine, WR – DePauw (IN) // Biochemistry (3.92 GPA)
• Jonah Coleman, RB – Washington // Education (3.91 GPA)
• James Conway, LB – Fordham // Marketing Information Systems (3.71 GPA)
• Jalon Daniels, QB – Kansas // Sport Management (3.58 GPA)
• Ty Dugger, DB – Harding (AR) // Accounting (3.92 GPA)
• Aaron Graves, DL – Iowa // Exercise Science (4.03 GPA)
• Blake Horvath, QB – Navy // Operations Research (3.69 GPA)
• Chandler Kirton, OL – Austin Peay // Management (3.92 GPA)
• Trey Moore, LB – Texas // Physical Culture & Sports (3.65 GPA)
• Red Murdock, LB – Buffalo // Psychology (3.46 GPA)
• Parker Navarro, QB – Ohio // Integrated Health Studies (3.96 GPA)
• Sawyer Robertson, QB – Baylor // Marketing (3.73 GPA)
• Eli Stowers, TE – Vanderbilt // Individual Studies (3.92 GPA)
• Jack Strand, QB – Minnesota State Moorhead // Engineering Physics (3.87 GPA)
• Andon Thomas, LB – Army West Point // Chemical Engineering (3.98 GPA) 
• Jackson Waring, QB – Grand View (IA) // Psychology (3.88 GPA) 

 
   
The 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas will also feature three special fundraising opportunities supporting the NFF's mission.
 
For the first time, fans nationwide can participate in the NFF Silent Auction. Through the online bidding platform, supporters can secure unique memorabilia, a limited-edition NFF Hall of Fame Wild Cask Kentucky Bourbon bottle, exclusive travel experiences, and other one-of-a-kind items. Additional items will be added regularly leading up to the Dec. 9 Dinner, with bidding closing that evening at approximately 8:30 p.m. PT. Click here to start bidding.
 
Guests attending the event in Las Vegas are also invited to enter a special on-site raffle, with proceeds benefiting NFF scholarships, educational programs, and initiatives to preserve the history of the game. Beginning Dec. 4 at the Bellagio, attendees may purchase tickets on-site at registration desk #3 for the chance to win one of three premium experiences, specifically a choice of tickets to the 2026 Kentucky Derby, Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara or a Luxury 7-Night Tuscan Villa Stay. Click here for raffle details.
 
Finally, fans can purchase a t-shirt featuring the member of the 2025 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class. Click here for details.
 
 
The morning press conference will give media a chance to hear from the 2025 NFF College Football Hall of Fame Class. The press conference will also include the announcement of the 2025 MEAC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year. Media and fans can watch the entire press conference live on ESPN+.
 
The press conference will feature: 

• Press Conference Moderator: Kevin Trainor, Arkansas Alumni Association Associate Executive Director
• Comments on the State of the NFF: Steve Hatchell, NFF President & CEO
• Comments from the 2025 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 2025 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. 

• Wade Bianco – Rochester [New York] Chapter (Northeast Region)
• Jeff Bollig – Coach Bill Snyder Family/Sunflower [Kansas] Chapter (Midwest Region)
• Shawn Cerra – Brian Piccolo [Fort Lauderdale] Chapter (South Region)
• Tim Kish – Southern Arizona [Tucson] Chapter (West Region)
• Frank Luisi – Nassau County [New York] Chapter (East Region)

 

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: 

• Bob's Steak & Chop House
• Catapult
• College Football Playoff
• Delta Air Lines
• Elite Media Network
• Fanatics
• Fidelity Investments
• Hampshire Foundation
• Insignia Event Services
• Jason Hanold of CAA Executive Search
• Jostens
• The More Family
• Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
• National Football League
• New York Athletic Club
• Pasadena Tournament of Roses
• Riddell
• Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation
• Shaw Sports Turf
• Shriners Children's Hospital / East-West Shrine Bowl
• 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: 

• CBS Sports
• ESPN
• FOX Sports
• FWAA
• iSix
• LDWW
• Learfield Publishing
• MGM Sports and Entertainment
• Sinclair Broadcast Group

ABOUT THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME
Founded in 1947 with early leadership from General Douglas MacArthur, legendary Army coach Earl "Red" Blaik, and journalist Grantland Rice, the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) is a nonprofit organization that leverages the power of amateur football to build leaders. With 120 chapters in 47 states, the NFF oversees initiatives such as the NFF College Football Hall of Fame, the William V. Campbell Trophy®, the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards Presented by Fidelity Investments, Future For Football, and I Played. Learn more at footballfoundation.org and follow @NFFNetwork on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.