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BLUE EARTH -- Sam Lee and David Franta have quite a few things in common. They're both senior college football players, though at different universities. Both played football at Blue Earth Area High School and went to the state tournament during their prep careers.
When both were announced as semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy on Sept. 27, it was just one more commonality between the former teammates.
"I didn't know a whole lot about it, so it was kind of a nice surprise," said Franta, who attends St. John's. "It's a cool recognition and honor to be a semifinalist."
"I mean, you look at the list of the Campbell Trophy (semifinalists) from every division going from Division I FBS all the way to NAIA to D-III, like David's in, it's pretty awesome and humbling to be in a group with those guys," said Lee, who attends Augustana. "It's pretty impressive."
Franta, who Lee called "one of the hardest workers I know," is the second Johnny in as many years to be nominated for the award. Last year, former BEA and St. John's standout Carter Hanson was a finalist for the award. Lee graduated from Blue Earth Area in 2012, Hanson in 2013 and Franta in 2014, with all playing under head coach Randy Kuechenmeister.
"He instills a work ethic in you that I don't think a lot of high schools bring about," Lee said about the trio's former coach. "He trains you pretty well that you need to excel both in school and on the field, and he's going to do whatever it takes to get you wherever you want to go."
As the youngest of the three, Franta is honored to share being a Campbell Trophy semifinalist with Hanson and Lee.
"Both are people that I've looked up to, both currently and through high school when I was on their team," he said.
Franta maintains a 3.8 GPA and will graduate from St. John's in May with a degree in nursing. While in college, he's volunteered at Prince of Peace Lutheran School and with Kids Against Hunger, and raised money for Tackle Cancer and the "Up Till Dawn" campaign, in addition to doing clinicals at St. Cloud Hospital and interning at Mayo Clinic's Progressive Care Unit.
On the gridiron, the 5-foot-11 inside linebacker leads the No. 9-ranked Johnnies (5-1) in tackles with 41 and scored a 37-yard touchdown in the team's record-breaking 98-0 victory over St. Scholastica on Sept. 2.
"Each week's a big game and if we want to make the playoffs, we've gotta win out the rest of the season, so that starts every week," Franta said. "That's kind of the way we're looking at it, but I think that we've been playing pretty well."
About 215 miles southwest at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., Lee plays offensive tackle behind a young Vikings team. He's helped the 2-4 Vikings to 2,034 yards of total offense and 113 points over the six games.
When he's not helping to protect quarterbacks Kyle Saddler and Ryan Rubley, Lee is studying at Augustana's football complex.
"I'm not a library guy," he said in preparation for graduation in December with a double major in exercise science and fitness management.
Lee also volunteers in various organizations around campus and in the community. Some of those activities include, but not limited to, the Augiethon, a dance marathon that raises money for Sanford Children's Hospital and Children's Miracle Network, and Augie Access Walk, a fundraiser for the Augie Access Program, which helps young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities get a post-secondary education.
"We actually have one of our team managers that's a kid from the program and we've become pretty tight, so it's fun to hang out with them," Lee said.
Despite an injury-plagued college career, the sixth-year senior is being looked at as a possible NFL prospect. A representative from the Arizona Cardinals attended one of the Vikings' practices on Aug. 10.
"Right now, I'm just focusing on staying healthy and finishing the year strong, but if that opportunity actually presents itself, I'll gladly pursue that and see where it goes," Lee said.
After graduation in two months, Lee is considering graduate school and pursuing a career in sports training. Although he enjoys the Midwest, he said he's willing to go wherever he gets accepted, including the West Coast.
"I've been to San Diego a few times and I loved it down there, so I wouldn't mind living on a beach out in San Diego. It's pretty calm out there," Lee said.
Franta, however, wants to stay local and move around the Mankato area where he'll be close to his family, with plans of becoming an RN after he takes his board exams.
Franta and Lee may have different career paths, but football always will be a commonality between the two. The former Bucs are hoping to add another thing in common when the Trophy finalists are announced on Nov. 1. If selected, they will received an $18,000 scholarship and attend the 60th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Dec. 5 in New York City. The winner will have his scholarship increased to $25,000.
"I suppose I'm not really expecting it, but if it happens, that would be pretty cool," Franta said. "It would definitely increase my likelihood of going back to school and getting my master's degree or furthering my education in nursing or some form of that whether it be nurse practitioner or … something along those lines."
Lee added, "It would mean a lot to me (to be a finalist because of) the hard work that it takes to be a real student-athlete with how you balance your school and athletics and how you help out in the community. It's (Campbell Trophy) an award that a lot of guys strive for because it encompasses everything you should be as a student-athlete in college."
SENIOR SEMIFINALISTS -- Augustana College senior left tackle(check) Sam Lee gets in position to protect freshman quarterback Dylan Hayden (8) and freshman running back Chandler Behrens during a Vikings football game. (Photo courtesy of Augustana University)