Gallaudet offensive lineman Caleb Hinton selected as NFF candidate for the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards

Gallaudet University senior offensive lineman Caleb Hinton (Knoxville, Tenn.) was selected as one of the best and brightest from the college gridiron as announced by The National Football Foundation (NFF) and College Hall of Fame on Thursday.

Hinton is one of 127 candidates honored from the Football Bowl Subdivision, Football Championship Subdivision, Division II, Division III and NAIA. From the pool of 127 candidates the NFF Awards Committee will select up to 16 recipients to be named to the 2011 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards, presented by Fidelity Investments. The 127 nominees also comprise the list of semifinalists for the 2011 William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes an individual as the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation.

“This is a great honor for Caleb and for Gallaudet University. He has been a leader amongst his peers and has been our anchor on offense,” said second-year Gallaudet head football coach Chuck Goldstein. “Caleb has excelled in the classroom and is a true role model for his teammates and fellow students on campus. It is great to see a young man work hard in the classroom and on the field get honored at this level.”

Hinton, a senior co-captain, is a four-year letter winner in football at Gallaudet. He has been a two-time Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) All-Academic team selection and has made Gallaudet’s Dean’s List all six semesters he has been here (Fall 2008 to present).

Last season, Hinton earned the Gallaudet Coaches’ Award for his play with the football team and was a Top 10 Scholar-Athlete at Gallaudet. On the field, Hinton has started 12 games and seen action in 19 games as a Bison. He has been very versatile, as he has played all five positions on Gallaudet’s offensive line over his time here. Hinton, a Deaf Education major, is slated to graduate December 2012.

“This year’s candidates truly embody the National Football Foundation’s mission of building leaders through football,” said NFF Chairman Archie Manning whose sons Peyton (1997 Campbell Trophy winner) and Eli were named NFF National Scholar-Athletes in 1997 and 2003, respectively. “They are standouts in the classroom and on the field and have become leaders in their respective communities. Each school should take great pride in being represented by such well-rounded young men who will undoubtedly go on to do great things in life.”

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