Independent file photo SMSU’s Daniel Davis hauls in a touchdown during their game against MSU Moorhead on Oct. 26.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Southwest Minnesota State University senior wide receiver Daniel Davis is one of 36 nominees for the Harlon Hill Award, which is given annually to the top player in NCAA Division II football.

The National Harlon Hill Award Committee announced the list today, which includes players from each of the four Division II Super Regions.

Players are nominated and voted on by the sports information directors at the 167 NCAA Division II football-playing institutions. The 36 initial candidates will be placed on regional ballots and the top two players from each of the four NCAA regions will advance to the national ballot when regional voting concludes on Monday, Dec. 2. The winner of the 2019 award will be announced on Friday, Dec. 20 and the winner will be honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club awards banquet on Jan. 9, 2020.

Davis, a native of Tarpon Springs, Fla., led the NSIC in both receptions (104) and receiving yards (1,337) for the second straight season. A two-time first team All-NSIC South honoree, Davis finished the 2019 season with a team-leading 10 touchdowns, with his receptions total ranking third in SMSU single-season history, while his receiving yards is the fourth highest in team single-season history. He finished the season with seven 100-yard receiving games and in the final regular season Division II national statistics, he ranked first in receptions per game (9.5), second in receiving yards and third in receiving yards per game (121.5).

The sports information directors at their respective schools nominate candidates. The SIDs in those Super Regions vote for their top five candidates. The winner is then determined in a nation-wide vote of the Division II sports information directors.

The group of 36 candidates includes 13 quarterbacks, 10 running backs, seven wide receivers, three defensive linemen and three linebackers.

The Hill Trophy is named for the late Harlon Hill – the former University of North Alabama standout – who excelled with the Lions from 1950-53 before going on to fame in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears.

Southwest Minnesota State has had one Harlon Hill national finalist in school history with running back Tyler Tonderum finishing eighth in the national voting in 2013.

Southwest Minnesota State finished the season with a record of 3-8.

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications