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Aaron Graves cannot be real.

He is, though. The Iowa senior defensive tackle is real, and he’s spectacular.

Wednesday, it was announced Graves was one of 16 players from a nationwide pool of 177 semifinalists who became a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy honoring college football’s top-scholar athlete. It’s often called the “Academic Heisman.”

The award goes to the player who best exemplifies excellence in academics, leadership and on-field performance. It has been given since 1990. Among its previous winners are Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow.

In 2021, the award went to Iowa State tight end Charlie Kolar. The next year, the honoree was Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell, who made a v

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