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After a record number of Gagliardi Trophy nominations this year, and the introduction of a new presenting sponsor in Stearns Bank, 20 candidates have been selected to move on to the voters as semifinalists for the 2023 Gagliardi Trophy.
Fifteen seniors lead the quarterback heavy class of semifinalists for the 2023 Gagliardi Trophy, an award presented by Stearns Bank and the J-Club of Saint John's University (Minn.) to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. The semifinalist list contains nominees from all six NCAA regions. Multiple positions are represented with 10 quarterbacks, six defensive players and just three running backs and one wide receiver. Fourteen of the 20 semifinalists participated in the first round of the Division III playoffs.
The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993 is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player and recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John's legendary Hall of Fame head football coach who passed away at the age of 91 in 2018. John retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history.
D3football.com will reveal the finalists on a live streaming broadcast on the afternoon of Thursday, Dec. 7.
After screening the schools' nominations, the SJU J-Club Board of Directors narrowed the field to the 20 semifinalists. The J-Club does not vote beyond that stage.
The 40-member Gagliardi Trophy national selection committee reviews the credentials, ranks the candidates 1-15 and casts their votes. Fan balloting, which is available on D3football.com, accounts for the 41st ballot, and is being conducted on D3football.com for the 12th consecutive season. Fans will be permitted to cast one ballot per device, through 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 2.
The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after the late John Gagliardi, Saint John's legendary Hall of Fame head football coach who retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history. Gagliardi passed away in October 2018 at the age of 91.
In its message to the voting panel, the Gagliardi Trophy administration reminds voters: "The Gagliardi Trophy is a football award but incorporates the philosophy of the well-rounded student-athlete."
The 2022 Gagliardi Trophy was awarded to North Central senior running back Ethan Greenfield.
A record number of nominations were submitted by colleges across the country, and the semifinalists were selected by the J-Club Board of Directors. The Gagliardi Trophy national selection committee is comprised of 18 Division III coaches (three from each NCAA region), six Division III administrators (one from each region), 12 regional notable voters (two from each region), and six national voters with Division III backgrounds. A fan vote, which runs until Dec. 2, will be live soon on D3football.com. No J-Club members vote as part of the national-selection committee.
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The semifinalists:
Kaleb Blaha
QB | Junior | UW-River Falls
Justin Blazek
DE | Senior | UW-Platteville
Kolbe Blunt
RB | Senior | Belhaven
Zac Boyes
QB | Junior | Cortland
Jake Breitbach
WR | Senior | Gustavus Adolphus
Brandon Cade
RB | Junior | Berry
Drew Campanale
QB | Senior | Randolph-Macon
Destin Chance
QB | Junior | Illinois College
Robert Coury
LB | Senior | Carnegie Mellon
Owen Grover
LB | Senior | Wartburg
Egon Hein
DB | Senior | UW-Whitewater
Keyser Helterbrand
QB | Senior | UW-La Crosse
Tucker Horn
QB | Senior | Trinity, Texas
Tomás Kenary
DL | Senior | Middlebury
Luke Lehnen
QB | Junior | North Central
Braxton Plunk
QB | Senior | Mount Union
Luke Schuermann
DL | Senior | Johns Hopkins
Aaron Syverson
QB | Senior | Saint John’s
Josh Taylor
QB | Senior | Mount St. Joseph
Giovanni Weeks
RB | Senior | Wheaton