Monday, November 20, 2017
FLORENCE, Ala. – Two of the most dynamic offensive players in the GNAC are among eight nominees from Super Region 4 for the 2017 Harlon Hill Award.
Humboldt State senior running back Ja’Quan Gardner and Western Oregon senior wide receiver Paul Revis are among the 34 nominees for the annual award, which is awarded to the top Division II football player in the nation. Voted upon by Division II sports information directors nationwide, the top-two finalists from each region will advance to the national ballot on Nov. 27.
Gardner is no stranger to the Harlon Hill list. He was the runner-up for the award in 2015. The 2017 GNAC Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-GNAC selection at both running back and kick return led the league and ranked 10th in Division II in rushing, averaging 125.9 yards per game, while ranking fourth in Division II with 19 rushing touchdowns. Gardner also led the GNAC and was fourth nationally with 192.6 all-purpose yards per game as he added kick return duties to his plate this season.
The Ceres, California, native ends his career as the GNAC’s all-time leader in touchdowns (75), points scored (450), all-purpose yards (6.979), all-purpose yards per game (170.2), rushing attempts (878), rushing yards (5,426) and rushing touchdowns (70).
Revis is on the Harlon Hill ballot for the first time after earning First Team All-GNAC honors at wide receiver for the fourth consecutive year. The senior finished ranked second in the GNAC with 98.4 receiving yards per game with seven touchdowns and led the GNAC with 16 punt returns for an average of 13.9 yards per punt return. Revis ranks fifth in Division II with 8.5 receptions per game, is 12th in punt return yards, 13th with 1,082 receiving yards and 15th in receiving yards per game.
Revis finished his collegiate career with 274 receptions, 3,998 receiving yards and 32 touchdowns. In addition, Revis holds the school mark with 6,713 all-purpose yards. Revis caught a school record 93 passes in 2017 and topped the 1,000-yard barrier for the third time in his career with 1,082 yards receiving.