Boise State’s Kaniho honored for off-field efforts; DE hits transfer portal
Boise State senior nickel Kekaula Kaniho was named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy on Wednesday.
The award is given annually to the top football scholar-athlete in the country, and it’s the fourth award watch list Kaniho has landed on this offseason.
Kaniho is also in the running for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defensive player), Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back) and the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which is awarded based on athletic performance, leadership and community service.
To be considered for the William V. Campbell Trophy, players must be seniors or graduate students in their final year of eligibility, have at least a 3.2 GPA and show outstanding football ability as a significant contributor on the team.
In November, the National Football Foundation will announce 12 to 14 finalists, each of whom will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship. The winner will be announced later this year, and his postgraduate scholarship will increase to $25,000.
Past winners include former Oregon quarterback Justin Herbert (2019), former Clemson defensive lineman Christian Wilkins (2018) and Tim Tebow, who won it while at Florida in 2009.
Kaniho would be the first Boise State player to win the award and just the second player from a program currently in the Mountain West. In 1990, former Air Force running back Chris Howard was named the first winner of the William V. Campbell Trophy.
Last season, Kaniho earned first-team All-Mountain West honors after racking up 61 tackles (11 for loss), three sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He was also named a second-team Division I Academic All-American with a 3.93 GPA.
After the Broncos lost veteran safety Kekoa Nawahine to graduation and DeAndre Pierce and Jordan Happle to the transfer portal, Kaniho may find himself lining up at safety as much as nickel this fall, but he has plenty of experience to draw from.
The 5-foot-10, 177-pound Kahuku, Hawaii, native has started 27 games since his freshman season in 2017.
DE in transfer portal
Boise State defensive end Dylan Hall announced Wednesday on Twitter that he was in the transfer portal.
Hall was a three-star recruit in the Broncos’ 2019 class. He did not appear in any games last season.
The Broncos have to replace veteran defensive linemen Chase Hatada, David Moa and Sonatane Lui this fall. The leading candidates to fill their spots early in camp are junior college transfer Shane Irwin at end, with Scale Igiehon and Scott Matlock on the interior.
