LITTLE ROCK, Ark. --- Following a great season, where he was among the national leaders in several categories and helped lead the Hardrockers to a milestone season, Jayden Johannsen was nominated for the Harlon Hill award.
 
A total of 48 student-athletes from across the nation have been nominated for the 2022 Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II College Football Player of the Year. A total of 12 nominees hail from Super Region 1, 11 from Super Region 2, 14 from Super Region 3 and 11 from Super Region 4.
 
The group of 48 candidates includes 16 quarterbacks, 10 wide receivers, eight running backs, seven defensive linemen, six linebackers and one punter/kicker. The list features 35 seniors, seven sophomores and six juniors.
 
" I am extremely happy for Jayden and the nomination he received as one of the top players in the country at the Division II level. The amount of work he put in this season is starting to pay off," said head coach Charlie Flohr.
 
The sports information directors at the 164 NCAA Division II football-playing institutions nominate and vote on the award. The 48 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, November 28.
 
Jayden Johannsen was named to the second team after having one of the best statistical seasons in the country from the position. He passed for 3,199 passing yards which was in the top-10 in NCAA Division II. Johannsen was also near the top in the following categories: passing touchdowns (28, 8th), passing efficiency (151.3, 22nd), and total offense per game (338.6, 2nd). Johannsen also rushed for 526 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns.
 
This is the second time in program history that an athlete from South Dakota Mines has been nominated for the Harlon Hill award and the first time since 2018.
 
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.
 
About South Dakota Mines
The South Dakota School of Mines & Technology is a member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and NCAA Division II offering 10 men's and women's varsity intercollegiate athletic programs. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference is a premier NCAA Division II conference with 15 members, as well as four associate members, located in the states of California, Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Utah.