FLORENCE, Ala. – Senior quarterback Connor Jessop (Ashburn, Va./Broad Run/Virginia Tech) of the Shepherd University football team is one of 10 finalists for the 2017 Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II College Football Player of the Year. 

The finalists were selected by the NCAA Division II sports information directors in regional voting and will now be placed on the national ballot where all 169 of the division's SIDs will select the award's 32nd winner. The top two players from Super Region 3 and Super Region 4 advanced to the national ballot, while three players advanced from Super Region 1 and Super Region 2 due to ties in the voting. 

The list of 2017 finalists is comprised of five quarterbacks, three running backs, one receiver and a defensive lineman.

Jessop, who gained MEC Offensive Player of The Year honors, completed 240-of-294 passes for 3,532 yards and 40 touchdowns. He also rushed 61 times for 355 yards and six scores. He set Shepherd single-season marks for total offense (3,887), passing touchdowns, touchdowns responsible for (47), and points responsible for (282). Jessop ranks second nationally in passing yards, passing yards per game (321.1), passing touchdowns, touchdowns responsible for (47), touchdowns responsible for (47), points responsible for (282), and points responsible for per game (25.6), while ranking third in total offense (353.4).

National voting will conclude on December 9 and the winner of the 2017 award, which is presented by the National Harlon Hill Award Committee, will be announced on Friday, December 15. 

The winner will be honored at a luncheon on the University of North Alabama campus on January 5, 2018.

The Hill Trophy is sponsored by the City of Florence, Ala., Opti-Net, Herff Jones and the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa.
    
2017 Harlon Hill Trophy Finalists

SUPER REGIONAL 1         Pos    Ht            Wt        Cl    School           Hometown
Connor Jessop            QB    6-5    220    SR    Shepherd        Ashburn, Va.
Marc Jones            RB    5-11    225    JR    Gannon            Painesville, Ohio
Marcus Martin            DE    6-2    255    SR    Slippery Rock        West Mifflin, Pa.

SUPER REGIONAL 2         Pos    Ht            Wt        Cl    School           Hometown    
Amir Hall            QB    6-4    180    JR    Bowie State        Bowie, Md.
Devontae Jackson        RB/KR    5-8    171    JR    West Georgia        Marietta, Ga. 
Harry Satterwhite        QB    6-1    182    JR    West Alabama        Mobile, Ala.
    
SUPER REGIONAL 3         Pos    Ht            Wt        Cl    School           Hometown    
Brook Bolles            QB    6-3    190    JR    Central Missouri    Lincoln, Neb.
J.T. Luper            WR    5-9    175    SR    Central Oklahoma    Sherman, Texas

SUPER REGIONAL 4         Pos    Ht            Wt        Cl    School           Hometown    
Ja'Quan Gardner        RB    5-7    205    SR    Humboldt State        Ceres, Calif.
Luis Perez            QB    6-3    220    SR    Texas A&M-Commerce    Chula Vista, Calif. 


ALPHABETICAL LISTING
                                     Pos    Ht            Wt        Cl    School           Hometown    
Brook Bolles            QB    6-3    190    JR    Central Missouri    Lincoln, Neb.
Ja'Quan Gardner        RB    5-7    205    SR    Humboldt State        Ceres, Calif.
Amir Hall            QB    6-4    180    JR    Bowie State        Bowie, Md.
Devontae Jackson        RB/KR    5-8    171    JR    West Georgia        Marietta, Ga. 
Connor Jessop            QB    6-5    220    SR    Shepherd        Ashburn, Va.
Marc Jones            RB    5-11    225    JR    Gannon            Painesville, Ohio
J.T. Luper            WR    5-9    175    SR    Central Oklahoma    Sherman, Texas
Marcus Martin            DE    6-2    255    SR    Slippery Rock        West Mifflin, Pa.
Luis Perez            QB    6-3    220    SR    Texas A&M-Commerce    Chula Vista, Calif. 
Harry Satterwhite        QB    6-1    182    JR    West Alabama        Mobile, Ala.

Connor Jessop Flyer