The National Football Foundation has named Alabama center Barrett Jones as the winner of the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes academics, athletic accomplishment and community service.

Jones beat out 14 other finalists. He received the award Tuesday night at the NFF banquet at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City.

"Charles Barkley famously said 'I'm not a role model.' I think the fact is, with all the exposure college athletes get today, we are role models," Jones said in a news release. "I think everyone sitting here are people that use that status in a positive way. I'm very grateful to be sitting on stage with 14 other worthy candidates."

Jones received a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. He also was awarded an $18,000 scholarship, which each finalist received.

Jones, who is known among his teammates for a dry sense of humor, unveiled a lighter side at the banquet, according to a news release.

"This has truly been a first-class event, and being at Alabama, I am used to staying at nicer hotels than the Waldorf," he said. "Seriously, this event has been more than the first-class amenities and the Rockettes and the nice dinners."

Jones was a first-team All-American last year and won the Outland Trophy as the nation's top interior lineman. He also is Alabama's only three-time academic All-American and is on pace to earn that honor again this year.

He has a 4.0 grade point average and is working toward a graduate degree in accounting. He was the 2011 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and the 2012 Paul W. Bryant Student-Athlete of the Year.

"Barrett is perhaps one of the greatest scholar-athletes to have ever played the game, and we are so proud to honor him tonight," NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell said, according to a release. "The 2012 NFF National Scholar-Athlete class is one of the best ever, and for Barrett to stand above them all really says a lot about his accomplishments. He has a perfect 4.0 GPA and an All-American football career while still significantly giving back to the community. He was the clear choice as the best scholar-athlete in college football."

Jones is Alabama's first Campbell Trophy winner and the school's sixth finalist, including Johnny Musso (1971), Randy Hall (1974), Steadman Shealy (1979), DeMeco Ryans (2005) and Greg McElroy (2010).