LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – For only the fifth time in program history the Northwest Missouri State University football team has a finalist for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy.
 
Senior running back Al McKeller (Indianapolis, Ind./Lawrence, North HS) is one of eight finalists for the 2021 Harlon Hill Trophy, the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year award.
 
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 181 of the division's school and conference SIDs will select the award's 35th winner. The top two players from the four Super Regions advanced to the national ballot. Four quarterbacks, three running backs and one wide receiver comprised the list of 2021 finalists.
 
Tyson Bagent, a junior quarterback from Shepherd, and Henry Litwin, a senior wide receiver from Slippery Rock, advanced from Super Region #1.
 
West Florida sophomore quarterback Austin Reed and Bowie State senior running back Calil Wilkins moved on from Super Region #2.
 
From Super Region #3, Nebraska-Kearney junior quarterback TJ Davis and McKeller earned spots on the national ballot.
 
Bemidji State sophomore quarterback Brandon Alt and Colorado School of Mines senior running back Michael Zeman garnered the two finalist slots from Super Region #4. 

All eight of the finalists helped guide their teams into the 2021 NCAA Division II playoffs and four - Bagent, Wilkins, McKeller and Zeman - will compete in this weekend's quarterfinal matchups. 
 
McKeller was previously a nominee for the Harlon Hill Trophy in 2018 at the University of Indianapolis. McKeller is the NCAA Division II active career leader in all-purpose yards with 5,500. He ranks second among active career leaders in rushing yards (5,085). McKeller has rushed for 60 career touchdowns. McKeller has rushed the ball 268 times for 1,527 yards, including 18 rushing touchdowns this season for the No. 3-ranked Bearcats.
 
McKeller has produced eight 100-yard rushing performances this season and has tallied 24 100-yard rushing games in his collegiate career.
 
McKeller has been a tough customer for defenders to track down behind the line of scrimmage. McKeller has lost only 20 yards rushing this season despite carrying it the most times (268) for any MIAA rusher.
 
He ranks fifth in the nation in total rushing yards and No. 7 in the country in rushing yards per game (127.2).
 
McKeller becomes the 23rd MIAA player to be named a finalist for the Harlon Hill Trophy. The MIAA has produced five Harlon Hill Trophy winners in Ronnie West (1991 – Pittsburg State), Ronald Moore (1992 – Pittsburg State), Jarrett Anderson (1996 – Truman State), Brian Shay (1998 – Emporia State), Eric Czerniewski (2010 – Central Missouri).

The winner of the 2021 award will be announced on Friday, December 17 and the winner will be honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club awards banquet on January 13, 2022.
 
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.
 
Northwest Missouri State – Harlon Hill Trophy Finalists (5)
Tony Miles, WR – 6th Place (2000)
LaRon Council, RB – 8th Place (2009)
Blake Bolles, QB – 3rd Place (2010)
Kyle Zimmerman, QB – 2nd Place (2016)
Al McKeller, RB – TBD (2021)
 
Northwest Missouri State – Harlon Hill Trophy Nominees (12)
Ed Tillison, RB (1989)
Chris Greisen, QB (1998)
Tony Miles, WR (2000)
Jamaica Rector, WR (2003, 2004)
Xavier Omon, RB (2006, 2007)
LaRon Council, RB (2008, 2009)
Blake Bolles, QB (2010)
Kyle Zimmerman, QB (2016)
Al McKeller, RB (2021)