Zach Tom Named Semifinalist for the Campbell Trophy
9/29/2021 11:00:00 AM | Football
The redshirt junior offensive lineman becomes the fourth Demon Deacon to be named a semifinalist for the award since the 2016 season.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Wake Forest football redshirt junior offensive lineman Zach Tom was named as a semifinalist for the 2021 William V. Campbell Trophy, as announced by the National Football Foundation on Wednesday.
Since 2016, the Demon Deacons have had four semifinalists for the award, including Ryan Javion who was a finalist for the Campbell Trophy in 2016.
Over his time at Wake Forest, Tom has appeared in 38 games, making 27 starts including all 26 over the last three seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, Tom has the highest pass blocking grade for an offensive tackle in the country with a 93.9 grade. Additionally, PFF has him ranked as the 14th overall offensive tackle in the country with a grade of 84.9.
Heading into the 2021 season, Tom has played in 1,902 snaps and has given up just one sack while grading out at 92% overall and has only been called for three penalties.
The ACC's leading returner in pass block efficiency was recognized this preseason as an All-American by Phil Steele. Tom was also placed on the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, given to the best interior lineman in the country.
Since arriving on campus ahead of the 2017 season, the Demon Deacons have enjoyed a wealth of success. Tom has helped the Deacs reach a bowl game every year he has been on campus, extending the streak to a school record five consecutive seasons. The streak is also the third-longest active streak in the ACC.
As impressive as he has been on the field, Tom has been equally impressive off the field. He was named a 2021 ACC Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient after completing his undergraduate degree in Business and Enterprise Management with Cum Laude honors this spring.
Tom has been an All-ACC Academic Team member each of the past two seasons while also earning ACC Academic Honor Roll honors during all four years in Winston-Salem. He is currently pursuing his Master's of Business, becoming just the second Wake Forest football student-athlete to enroll in the MBA program, joining Eric Osteen.
In the community, Tom participates in the annual WFU Move-In Day to create a more enjoyable move in experience for first year students, meeting families, carrying their bags and being a welcoming face.
He also supports the Hit the Bricks for Cancer Research and Pump Up for Piccolo, an annual event led by the Gamma Phi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha and Wake Forest Football team in a philanthropic effort to raise money for cancer research and awareness for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund.
Tom is one of 176 semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy and the NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 27. Each of those individuals will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2021 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments.
The finalists will travel to the ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas for the 63rd NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 7, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. During the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 32nd Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
Since 2016, the Demon Deacons have had four semifinalists for the award, including Ryan Javion who was a finalist for the Campbell Trophy in 2016.
Over his time at Wake Forest, Tom has appeared in 38 games, making 27 starts including all 26 over the last three seasons. According to Pro Football Focus, Tom has the highest pass blocking grade for an offensive tackle in the country with a 93.9 grade. Additionally, PFF has him ranked as the 14th overall offensive tackle in the country with a grade of 84.9.
Heading into the 2021 season, Tom has played in 1,902 snaps and has given up just one sack while grading out at 92% overall and has only been called for three penalties.
The ACC's leading returner in pass block efficiency was recognized this preseason as an All-American by Phil Steele. Tom was also placed on the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, given to the best interior lineman in the country.
Since arriving on campus ahead of the 2017 season, the Demon Deacons have enjoyed a wealth of success. Tom has helped the Deacs reach a bowl game every year he has been on campus, extending the streak to a school record five consecutive seasons. The streak is also the third-longest active streak in the ACC.
As impressive as he has been on the field, Tom has been equally impressive off the field. He was named a 2021 ACC Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient after completing his undergraduate degree in Business and Enterprise Management with Cum Laude honors this spring.
Tom has been an All-ACC Academic Team member each of the past two seasons while also earning ACC Academic Honor Roll honors during all four years in Winston-Salem. He is currently pursuing his Master's of Business, becoming just the second Wake Forest football student-athlete to enroll in the MBA program, joining Eric Osteen.
In the community, Tom participates in the annual WFU Move-In Day to create a more enjoyable move in experience for first year students, meeting families, carrying their bags and being a welcoming face.
He also supports the Hit the Bricks for Cancer Research and Pump Up for Piccolo, an annual event led by the Gamma Phi Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha and Wake Forest Football team in a philanthropic effort to raise money for cancer research and awareness for the Brian Piccolo Cancer Fund.
Tom is one of 176 semifinalists for the Campbell Trophy and the NFF will announce 12-14 finalists on Oct. 27. Each of those individuals will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2021 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments.
The finalists will travel to the ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas for the 63rd NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 7, where their accomplishments will be highlighted in front of one of the most powerful audiences in all of sports. During the event, one member of the class will be declared as the winner of the 32nd Campbell Trophy and have his postgraduate scholarship increased to $25,000.
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