ASC Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalists History
Gagliardi Trophy Semifinalist Release
COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – Mary Hardin-Baylor senior safety/punter/punt returner Jefferson Fritz and Hardin-Simmons senior quarterback Kyle Jones have been named two of the 15 semifinalists for the 2021 Gagliardi Trophy an award presented by Jostens and the J-Club of Saint John's University (Minn.) to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III.
Fritz and Jones brings the American Southwest Conference semifinalist number to 17 since 2000.
Jones led the Cowboys to a 9-1 record and he threw for 2,446 yards and 26 touchdowns with just four interceptions, earning All-ASC Second Team honors. He finished his career as the most efficient quarterback in school history. Jones was also the 2020-21 ASC Offensive Player of the Year.
Fritz ranks third on the league champion Cru defense with 44 tackles this season. He has seven pass breakups with one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Fritz is a five-time All-America selection, two-time D3football.com All-South Region honoree and four-time All-ASC selection. He is also a three-time American Southwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time team captain. Fritz is the only defensive player to earn semifinalist honors.
The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993, recognizes excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John's legendary Hall of Fame head football coach who retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history. John passed away this past fall at the age of 91.
The 40-member Gagliardi Trophy national selection committee reviews the credentials, ranks the candidates 1-15 and casts their votes. Fan balloting, which is available on D3football.com, accounts for the 41st ballot, and is being conducted on D3football.com for the 11th consecutive season. Fans will be permitted to cast one ballot per device, through 1 p.m. ET on December 9. The Finalists will be recvealed on December 9.
The Gagliardi Trophy award program is sponsored by Josten's Inc. and is conducted by the J-Club of St. John's University. This is the 28th year the Gagliardi Trophy will be presented to the nation's top Division III football player. The other Semifinalists for the award this year are: Ian Blankenship (RB, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy), Cody Gustafson (WR, Grove City College), Blaine Hawkins (QB, Central College), Michael Hnatkowsky (QB, Muhlenberg), Tucker Horn (QB, Trinity), Tyler Jarnagin (QB, Benedictine), Andrew Kamienski (WR, North Central), Max Meylor (QB, UW-Whitewater), Braxton Plunk (QB, Mount Union), Jaron Roste (QB, Bethel), Brees Segala (QB, SUNY-Cortland), Wyatt Smith (QB, Linfield) and Gavin Zimbelman (QB, Aurora).