National Football Foundation

The epitome of the scholar-athlete, John Urschel represents everything right about college football. A team captain and a key component to one of the Big Ten’s most productive passing offenses, Urschel claimed Associated Press Third-Team All-America honors and helped true freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg earn the Big Ten Freshman of the Year title in 2013.
 
A two-time First-Team All-Big Ten guard, Urschel paved the way for three-straight 1,000-yard rushers, helping the Nittany Lions to winning seasons in all four years of his career. He anchored the Nittany Lions offensive line that led the Big Ten in total offense and ranked second in scoring and passing yards in 2012 conference play.
 
A Big Ten Medal of Honor recipient, Urschel garnered back-to-back First-Team Academic All-America honors in 2012 and 2013 and Academic All-District honors for three straight years. He earned a bachelor’s in mathematics in May 2012, a master’s in mathematics a year later and was working on a second master’s degree in math education his final year at Penn State – all while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA.
 
The Williamsville, New York, native and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar earned Academic All-Big Ten honors three times. He claimed the 84th Sullivan Award from the Amateur Athletic Union as America’s top amateur athlete.
 
Urschel taught college-level courses at Penn State and has had several research papers published, all while still playing football for the Nittany Lions. Active in the community, Urschel volunteered with Relay for Life, Special Olympics and Make-A-Wish events.
 
He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, playing three seasons for the franchise. Urschel began work on his Ph.D. in mathematics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology while still with the Ravens. He completed his Ph.D. in 2021, and he is currently a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, one of the world's foremost centers for theoretical research and intellectual inquiry.
 
Urschel is also a noted speaker, sharing his passion for math in hope of inspiring future generations. He authored a book in 2019 titled, “Mind and Matter: A Life in Math and Football,” telling the story of a life balanced between two passions. Urschel serves on the board of trustees at the National Museum of Mathematics, and he is a member of the College Football Playoff selection committee.