On Oct. 1, the National Football Foundation named senior offensive lineman Mills Bryant as a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which is given to an American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. Bryant is one of 199 student athletes and one of 20 Division II football players who met the qualifications to be a semifinalist for the award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI was pretty astonished and really excited,\u201d Bryant said after being named a semifinalist for the award. \u201cThen, my competitive spirit got in there and said, \u2018Okay, let\u2019s be a finalist, and let\u2019s see how far we can take it.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bryant, who has redshirted and played for the Bison football team since his freshman year, said being nominated speaks more to the football team than it does for his personal talent. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis award really is a nomination of the Harding Bison football team and not of Mills Bryant,\u201d Bryant said. \u201cThey could have nominated a number of players on this team, and it would have been for the whole Bison football team because of the brotherhood and dynasty of men they build.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bryant was heavily involved with activities such as Relay for Life and Special Olympics, as well as being the president of men\u2019s social club Titans last year. Former teammates of Bryant said his community involvement helped show his character and work ethic both on and off the football field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhether it\u2019s on the field, off the field, being in the weight room or classroom, he\u2019s excelled at pretty much everything he has done,\u201d former defensive lineman Toni Montez said. \u201cHe helped lead offseason practice groups to wins when no one thought they could, and [Titans] arguably had one of their best years under him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Harding football coaches agreed with Montez and stated that Bryant potentially winning this trophy would only end up being one more accomplishment in his long list during his time with the football team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn my mind, Mills\u2019s legacy is already set on the football team,\u201d assistant offensive coach Matt Underwood said. \u201cIt would be an honor to see him win it, but whether he wins or not will not change how the team views him and feels about him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bryant also had some words for young and upcoming Bison athletes on how to treat their college athletic careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJust take it one day at a time, and you\u2019ll be successful,\u201d Bryant said. \u201cThese days will start to stack up over time, and it will all lead to success down the road both in sports and your personal life.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The National Football Foundation will announce the 12 to 14 finalists for the trophy in November. Each finalist will receive a scholarship for their postgraduate education. The winner will receive a larger scholarship along with a 25 pound version of the trophy. That individual will be announced later this year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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