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FLORENCE, Alabama - University of North Alabama quarterback Lee Chapple is among nine finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy as the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year.
Chapple, a senior from Alpharetta, Ga., has led UNA to a 9-2 record entering Saturday's second round playoff game at Delta State. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound senior has thrown for 3,084 yards and 23 touchdowns and ranks seventh nationally in passing, 10th in passing yards per game and 15th in total offense.In two seasons with the Lions, Chapple has thrown for more than 6,000 yards and 44 touchdowns, while leading UNA to back-to-back playoff appearances.
"It's nice to be nominated for something like that, but it's not just one single guy's performance," Chapple said. "It's everybody on offense. It's receivers making plays (and) those guys up front giving me time to make plays down the field. It's not an individual award. It's a team award in my eyes."Chapple is trying to become the third UNA player to win the award.UNA linebacker Ronald McKinnon became the first defensive player to win the award in 1995 and quarterback Will Hall won the award in 2003.
The other finalists include Delta State quarterback Micah Davis, Mars Hill College running back Jonas Randolph, West Virginia Wesleyan quarterback Adam Neugebauer, Southern Connecticut State running back Rashaad Slowley, Hillsdale (Mich.) College running back Joe Glendening, Nebraska-Kearney quarterback Jake Spitzlberger, Midwestern State (Texas) quarterback Brandon Kelsey and Washburn University quarterback Dane Simoneau.
National voting will conclude on Dec. 2 and the top three finishers will be invited to the Shoals for the presentation banquet. The winner will be announced on Dec. 16 at the Florence Conference Center.