On fire: Cory Rahman finds success on, off field at Southeastern

A few months ago, Cory Rahman found himself in a conversation with Southeastern University Director of Athletic Communications Donnie Smith.

Smith asked Rahman for his transcripts and a few other random things. At the time, Rahman didn’t know why he was being asked for these things, and the moment was lost in a busy schedule balancing school and football.

But that seemingly insignificant moment was about to lead to something bigger than Rahman could have imagined — Rahman’s nomination for one of the most prestigious awards in the whole of college football: the William V. Campbell Trophy.

Also known as the “Academic Heisman,” the trophy is awarded by the National Football Foundation and is given to the American college football player with the best combination of academics, community service and on-field performance. Any collegiate football player can be nominated. The list of previous Campbell Trophy winners includes familiar names such as Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow.

Rahman learned he had been nominated in August, but two weeks ago, he found out he was a semifinalist.

“My brother sent it to me and said that I made the semifinals — that was pretty cool,” Rahman said. “I think it’s a big deal. Just to be in the same breath as some of these guys that have come before me is pretty remarkable.”
 

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES

Being nominated for the prestigious Campbell Trophy isn’t something that came randomly.

Rahman has always loved the game of football, and his play during his years at Foundation Academy was well-documented. But a big part of Rahman’s story was also that he was doing it all despite a medical condition.

Originally, Rahman was diagnosed with asthma as a child, but at age 12, he and his family learned he had a double-aortic arch, or a vascular ring. Rahman had a surgical procedure at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children to help, but because of how late the condition was discovered, he only was able to gain up to 52% pulmonary function. Despite that challenge, Rahman said that it hasn’t really affected him.

“All my life, it has just been normal to me — the breathing and limited lung capacity … I don’t know any different,” Rahman said.
 

ALL-AROUND SUCCESS

After graduating from Foundation in 2017, Rahman made his way to Southeastern.

At first, Rahman found himself getting only a few reps on special teams. But after one of the Fires’ safeties pulled a hamstring, he was called up to a starting spot by his defensive coordinator.

“He came to me and said, ‘You’re starting at weak safety,’” Rahman said. “This was on a Wednesday, so I only had two days to learn a whole new position — because I was playing free safety at the time. … I didn’t want to let my guys down.”

That led into a successful sophomore year. Rahman played in all 10 games and recorded six interceptions. Then, in his junior year, Rahman was named All-Sun Division First Team.

And not only has Rahman been winning athletic honors, but also he has been given Academic All-Conference awards every year he has been eligible for it, and he’s hoping to haul in the same award for his senior season — along with the Campbell Trophy.

“If that were to happen, that would really be something that would be incredible,” Rahman said. “Just to be in the same breath as some of these greats … it’s just pretty cool to see all the hard work come to fruition.”