Dec. 4, 2024

Ferris State's Trinidad Chambliss among eight finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to DII Football Player of the Year

Trinidad Chambliss named finalist for Harlon Hill Trophy — Ferris State junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, pictured here, is a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to the nation's top NCAA Division II football player.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —

Ferris State University junior quarterback Trinidad Chambliss is a national finalist for the 2024 Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to the Division II College Football Player of the Year.

The Little Rock Touchdown Club, in conjunction with the Great American Conference, revealed the eight finalists for the trophy on Wednesday with Chambliss chosen as one of two honorees from Super Region Three.

The NCAA Division II sports information directors selected the finalists through a round of regional voting. The eight finalists will now be placed on the national ballot where all 177 of the division's school and conference SIDs will select the award's 38th winner.

The top two players from the four Super Regions advanced to the national ballot. Five quarterbacks, two running backs and one wide receiver comprised the list of 2024 finalists. The winner of the 2024 award will be announced on Dec. 20.

The Hill Trophy is named for the late Harlon Hill, who excelled at University of North Alabama from 1950 to 1953 before going on to fame in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears.

Along with Chambliss, the list of finalists also includes reigning Harlon Hill Trophy winner and Central Missouri signal caller Zach Zebrowski from Super Region Three. The Super Region One candidates include Slippery Rock quarterback Brayden Long and Charleston running back Chavon Wright while Super Region Two's finalists feature Virginia Union tailback Jada Byers and Valdosta State quarterback Sammy Edwards. Finally, Colorado State Pueblo senior wideout Reggie Retzlaff and Angelo State quarterback Braeden Fuller garnered the two slots from Super Region Four.

All eight finalists guided their teams to postseason play - seven to the NCAA Division II playoffs and one to a bowl game. Four will compete in this week's national quarterback matchups, including Chambliss.

Chambliss, of Grand Rapids, was named the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year and has led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Division II Playoffs. He was originally among 43 student-athletes from across the country on this year's candidate list.

Former Ferris State quarterback Jason Vander Laan was a two-time Harlon Hill Trophy recipient as the country's top player in both 2014 and 2015 and quarterback Jayru Campbell claimed the distinction in 2018.

Ferris State is one of only three schools in the country to have won the award a nation-leading three times along with Texas A&M University - Kingsville and Valdosta State University.

Chambliss is now one of eight players in Ferris State history who have been a national finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy, joining quarterback Bill Love (2nd, 1995), linebacker Monty Brown (5th, 1992), wide receiver Clarence Coleman (5th, 2001) and quarterback Dave DenBraber (7th, 1987). Most recently, defensive end Caleb Murphy was a finalist and placed second as the national runner-up in 2022.

Vander Laan and Campbell are the only previous Ferris State players to claim the coveted prize and account for three of the four all-time recipients from the GLIAC.

Chambliss guided the nation's top-ranked Bulldogs to their first GLIAC Championship since 2021. The standout signal caller claimed the GLIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors five times this year and also earned the D2Football.com National Offensive Player of the Week Award. Chambliss directed one of the nation's top offensive attacks, leading FSU to 10-straight wins to close out the regular-season following a season-opening setback at Pittsburg State.

This year, Chambliss has accounted for 38 touchdowns, including 20 in the air and 18 on the ground. He's completed 177 of 293 passes for 2,382 yards while ranking among the Bulldogs' rushing attack leaders with 731 yards on 125 carries. His play has helped the Bulldogs roll up 44.8 points per game along with 495.2 yards of total offense a contest. The Bulldogs earned the top seed in Super Region Three and beat Central Oklahoma 78-17 in the second round of the playoffs this past week.

Ferris State will host defending national champion Harding University in the Super Region Three Championship Game on Saturday at Top Taggart Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. and tickets can be purchased in advance online at FerrisStateBulldogs.com/Tickets.