Release from the National Football Foundation:
IRVING, Texas (Oct. 25, 2023) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the finalists for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. The 16 finalists will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments®:
3.62 GPA – Marketing
Head Coach: Marcus Freeman | Athletics Director: Jack Swarbrick
Faculty Athletics Representative: Patricia Bellia
Recipient of the James J. Campbell Scholar-Athlete Award,
Endowed by William V. Campbell
Highly intelligent, athletic and the field general of the Fighting Irish defense, JD Bertrand has led Notre Dame in tackles the last two seasons while racking up a 3.62 GPA as a marketing major. The Alpharetta, Georgia, native becomes Notre Dame's 19th NFF National Scholar Athlete.
Having graduated last December, Bertrand is currently pursuing his master's in business analytics. A member of the Dean's List, Bertrand named to the prestigious Alpha Mu Alpa national marketing honor society.
The 2022 Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Year, Bertrand tallied 82 stops in 2022 and 101 during the 2021 season, finishing as the Irish's leading tackler both seasons. He had 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2022, adding to his seven TFLs and 1.5 sacks in 2021. The 6-foot-1, 233-pound Bertrand has 52 tackles this season and added 5.0 tackles for loss to his career total of 20.5. A fifth-year player, he has appeared in 45 games with 30 starts.
A two-year team captain who elevates everyone around him, Bertrand has played a key role in Notre Dame's 30-8 record the past three seasons, including a No. 18 ranking in 2022 and a win in the Gator Bowl; a No. 8 finish in 2021 and an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl; and a No. 5 ending in 2020 after an appearance in the College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl.
An Eagle Scout who was selected as a member of the 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Bertrand credits his mother for his commitment to community service. He has done extensive work with Uplifting Athletes, serving as the chapter president for two years and earning a spot on the organization's Rare Disease Champion Team in 2022. After the pandemic, he played a role in staging multiple events for the organization, raising more than $80,000. He donates part of his scholarship check and NIL earnings to charity, and he visits the Ronald McDonald House before every home game.
IRVING, Texas (Oct. 25, 2023) – The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced today the finalists for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy®, college football's premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. The 16 finalists will each receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2023 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments®:
Cooper Beebe, OL – Kansas State (3.84 GPA - Social Studies Education)
JD Bertrand, LB – Notre Dame (3.62 GPA - Marketing)
DeWayne Carter, DT – Duke (3.47 GPA - Psychology)
Loobert Denelus, DE – Benedict [SC] (3.96 GPA - Psychology)
Jacob Dobbs, LB – Holy Cross (3.76 GPA - Economics & Religious Studies)
Olu Fashanu, OT – Penn State (3.45 GPA - Supply Chain & Info Systems)
Zach Frazier, C – West Virginia (3.88 GPA - Sport Management)
Owen Grover, LB – Wartburg [IA] (3.99 GPA - Biology)
Leo Lowin, LB – Army West Point (3.92 GPA - Engineering Management)
Ladd McConkey, WR – Georgia (3.85 GPA - Finance)
Bo Nix, QB – Oregon (3.62 GPA - Communications)
Davius Richard, QB – North Carolina Central (3.59 GPA - Business Administration)
Luke Schuermann, DE – Johns Hopkins [MD] (3.61 GPA - Mechanical Engineering)
Taulia Tagovailoa, QB – Maryland (3.61 GPA - Family Science)
Liam Thompson, QB – Wabash [IN] (3.87 GPA - Rhetoric)
Zak Zinter, OL – Michigan (3.53 GPA - Sport Management)
JD Bertrand, LB – University of Notre Dame3.62 GPA – Marketing
Head Coach: Marcus Freeman | Athletics Director: Jack Swarbrick
Faculty Athletics Representative: Patricia Bellia
Recipient of the James J. Campbell Scholar-Athlete Award,
Endowed by William V. Campbell
Highly intelligent, athletic and the field general of the Fighting Irish defense, JD Bertrand has led Notre Dame in tackles the last two seasons while racking up a 3.62 GPA as a marketing major. The Alpharetta, Georgia, native becomes Notre Dame's 19th NFF National Scholar Athlete.
Having graduated last December, Bertrand is currently pursuing his master's in business analytics. A member of the Dean's List, Bertrand named to the prestigious Alpha Mu Alpa national marketing honor society.
The 2022 Notre Dame Defensive Player of the Year, Bertrand tallied 82 stops in 2022 and 101 during the 2021 season, finishing as the Irish's leading tackler both seasons. He had 8.5 tackles for loss and two sacks in 2022, adding to his seven TFLs and 1.5 sacks in 2021. The 6-foot-1, 233-pound Bertrand has 52 tackles this season and added 5.0 tackles for loss to his career total of 20.5. A fifth-year player, he has appeared in 45 games with 30 starts.
A two-year team captain who elevates everyone around him, Bertrand has played a key role in Notre Dame's 30-8 record the past three seasons, including a No. 18 ranking in 2022 and a win in the Gator Bowl; a No. 8 finish in 2021 and an appearance in the Fiesta Bowl; and a No. 5 ending in 2020 after an appearance in the College Football Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl.
An Eagle Scout who was selected as a member of the 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Bertrand credits his mother for his commitment to community service. He has done extensive work with Uplifting Athletes, serving as the chapter president for two years and earning a spot on the organization's Rare Disease Champion Team in 2022. After the pandemic, he played a role in staging multiple events for the organization, raising more than $80,000. He donates part of his scholarship check and NIL earnings to charity, and he visits the Ronald McDonald House before every home game.
