University of Minnesota Duluth redshirt freshman tight end Luke Dehnicke has been nominated as one of 36 players in the nation for the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy.

One of eight nominees from the Super Region 3, Dehnicke had a colossal season in the Bulldogs' NSIC Champion season. The native of Andover, Minn., Dehnicke led the NSIC in the receiving category with 97.6 average yards per game and 14 touchdowns. He also reached the 1,000-yard career receiving mark as a redshirt freshman, where he totaled 1,074 yards in the regular season. Heading into national competition, he ranked second in the NCAA for receiving yards (1,074), third in receiving yards per game (97.6), and third in receiving touchdowns (14). His efforts had helped bring the program its 22nd overall NSIC Championship title, 13th NSIC North Division title, and enter the program's 13th NCAA II postseason appearance.

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.

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 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 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 winner of the 2025 award will be announced on Friday, December 19.