LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Central Washington University junior quarterback
Kennedy McGill has been nominated for the prestigious Harlon Hill Award.
McGill becomes the fifth Wildcat to be nominated for the award after
Tanner Volk was nominated the previous two seasons with Tanner earning a finalist nod in 2023.
McGill had a phenomenal junior campaign, completing 114 of 218 passes for five interceptions, 1,637 yards, and 17 touchdowns. He also added 1,040 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns on 154 attempts. His rushing numbers top the Lone Star Conference and is the second-highest scorer in the LSC behind fellow Wildcat
David Weber.
Following A list of 36 student-athletes from across the nation have been nominated for the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II College Football Player of the Year.
A total of eight nominees hail from Super Region 1, eight from Super Region 2, eight from Super Region 3 and 12 from Super Region 4.
CSU Pueblo wide receiver Reggie Retzlaff, a 2024 finalist, returns as nominee for 2025. Albany State quarterback Isaiah Knowles and Minnesota State-Moorhead quarterback Jack Strand each finished in the top six of their respective region in 2024.
A total of 17 nominees played on teams that qualified for the DII playoffs and 10 advanced to the second round.
The sports information directors at the 159 NCAA Division II football-playing institutions nominate and vote on the award. 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, December 1.
The sports information directors at their respective schools initially nominate candidates. The SIDs in those Super Regions vote for their top five candidates. The winner is then determined in a nationwide vote of the Division II sports information directors.
The group of 36 candidates includes 16 quarterbacks, 10 running backs, three wide receivers, three linebackers, a defensive linemen, a safety, a tight end and a punter/kicker.
The list features 20 seniors, 11 juniors and two sophomores and three freshmen.
The winner of the 2025 award will be announced on Friday, December 19.
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.
The full Super Region 4 nominees are listed below:
| SUPER REGION #4 |
Pos. |
School |
Cl |
Hometown |
| Jay Todd Baker |
P/K |
Southern Arkansas |
Jr. |
Magnolia, AR |
| TJ Chukwurah |
WR |
Black Hills State |
Jr. |
Arlington, TX |
| Andrew Edwards |
QB |
Henderson State |
Sr. |
Bentonville, AR |
| Tristan Exline |
LB |
UT Permian Basin |
Jr. |
China Springs, TX |
| Jeffery Jones |
RB |
New Mexico Highlands |
Fr. |
St. Petersburg, FL |
| Will Lester |
S |
South Dakota Mines |
Sr. |
Arvada, CO |
| Kennedy McGill |
QB |
Central Washington |
Jr. |
Bothell, WA |
| RJ Martinez |
QB |
West Texas A&M |
Sr. |
Austin, TX |
| Andrew Miller |
RB |
Harding |
Jr. |
Searcy, AR |
| Drew Nash |
QB |
Western Colorado |
Sr. |
Torrance, CA |
| Reggie Retzlaff |
WR |
CSU Pueblo |
Sr. |
Corona, CA |
| Jack Turner |
QB |
Texas A&M-Kingsville |
Sr. |
Round Rock, TX |
Read the full Harlon Hill release
HERE
