Virginia Tech safety Tyson Flowers has been one of the veteran leaders of the Hokies' defense this season, and now the fifth-year senior is receiving national recognition for his work both on and off the field.
Flowers was named a semifinalist for the 2026 William V. Campbell Trophy on Wednesday, an award presented annually by the National Football Foundation to recognize college football's premier scholar-athlete.
Often referred to as the "Academic Heisman," the Campbell Trophy considers a player's academic success, performance on the football field and leadership within his community.
Flowers is one of a record 206 semifinalists across all levels of college football and one of 95 players from the FBS. He is also one of 14 ACC players to make the list. Each school is permitted to nominate just one player for the award.
The recognition adds another accomplishment to what has already been an impressive final season in Blacksburg for Flowers.
The Fort Worth, Texas native has developed into one of the Hokies' most important veteran voices and was selected as a team captain this season. Away from football, Flowers carries a 3.64 GPA and serves as an FCA Junior Chaplain while also sitting on Virginia Tech's leadership council.
Flowers has also been active throughout the community during his time at Virginia Tech, volunteering with Night to Shine, Warm Hearth Village Senior Living and the Ronald McDonald House of Southwest Virginia.
His impact has been just as noticeable on the field.
Flowers has recorded 56 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked punt over the last two seasons. The fifth-year safety has also made his presence felt on special teams and in the turnover department early in 2026.
In Virginia Tech's season-opening 73-3 win over VMI, Flowers blocked a punt in the first quarter to help set up a nine-yard Marcellous Hawkins touchdown run. It was part of a dominant special teams performance in which the Hokies blocked two punts.
One week later, Flowers found the end zone himself.
After Mylachi Williams forced a fumble on a sack against Old Dominion, Flowers scooped up the loose ball and returned it 14 yards for a touchdown in Virginia Tech's 44-21 victory. It marked the Hokies' first fumble-return touchdown since November 2021.
Flowers' experience has helped provide stability to a Virginia Tech defense navigating its first season under head coach James Franklin. He was one of three Hokies players chosen to represent the program alongside Kemari Copeland and Marcellous Hawkins at ACC Kickoff before the season.
Now, Flowers has a chance to add one of college football's most prestigious individual honors to his résumé.
The National Football Foundation will narrow the 206 semifinalists to between 12 and 16 finalists on Oct. 21. Each finalist will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship and become a member of the 2026 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class.
The eventual Campbell Trophy winner will have that postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000. The recipient will be announced at the 68th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 8 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
For Flowers, the nomination recognizes much more than what he has contributed to Virginia Tech's 3-0 start.
It reflects the role he has built for himself throughout his career in Blacksburg — as a contributor on the field, a successful student in the classroom and one of the leaders of the Hokies' locker room.
