University of Minnesota Duluth redshirt sophomore quarterback Kyle Walljasper is one of 38 players across the nation that has been nominated for the 2023 Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II College Football Player of the Year.


One of 10 nominees from Super Region 4, Walljasper had a breakout season for the Bulldogs in 2023. The product of Fond du Lac, Wis., had 39 total touchdowns this season -- tying him for the second most touchdowns in a single season in program history. Walljasper ran for 1,073 yards and 16 touchdowns, while passing for 1,580 yards and 22 TDs and added one touchdown reception. While leading the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference with his 16 rushing TDs across all positions, Walljasper also posted a league-best 9.3 points per game average over the entire season, and turned in eight games where he scored three or more touchdowns, including five contests where he accounted for four or more TDs.

A total of 10 nominees hail from Super Region 1, eight from Super Region 2, 10 from Super Region 3 and 10 from Super Region 4.


The sports information directors at the 161 NCAA Division II football-playing institutions nominate and vote on the award. The 38 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, November 27. The winner of the 2024 award will be announced on Friday, December 15 and the winner will be honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club awards banquet on Friday, January 12, 2024.


The group of 38 candidates includes 17 quarterbacks, eight running backs, five defensive linemen, three linebackers, two defensive backs, two wide receivers and an offensive lineman, and features 19 seniors, 11 juniors and eight sophomores.


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.