About the Harlon Hill Award
The Harlon Hill Award is named in honor of the late Harlon Hill, a former standout player at what is now known as The University of North Alabama. The award has been presented annually to the top player in NCAA Division II football since its inception in 1986. Sports Information directors at the football-playing members of Division II nominate candidates (one nominee per school) and vote on the candidates regionally. From the regional voting of nominees, two players per region advance to the national ballot. National votes from the sports information directors determine the winner.
The award has been presented to a quarterback 21 times. Running backs have claimed the award 14 times. A single wide receiver has won the award as well as one player from the defensive side of the ball. There have been five multiple-time winners, with all five winning the award in consecutive seasons. Johnny Bailey is the only three-time winner in the award’s history.
Past Harlon Hill Award Winners
2024: Zach Zebrowski, QB, Central Missouri
2023: Zach Zebrowski, QB, Central Missouri
2022: John Matocha, QB, Colorado School of Mines
2021: Tyson Bagen, QB, Shepherd
2020: No award (Covid)
2019: Roland Rivers, QB, Slippery Rock
2018: Jayru Campbell, QB, Ferris State
2017: Luis Perez, QB, East Texas A&M
2016: Justin Dvorak, QB, Colorado School of Mines
2015: Jason Vander Laan, QB, Ferris State
2014: Jason Vander Laan, QB, Ferris State
2013: Franklyn Quiteh, RB, Bloomsburg
2012: Zach Zulli, QB, Shippensburg
2011: Jonas Randolph, RB, Mars Hill
2010: Eric Czerniewski, QB, Central Missouri
2009: Joquie Bell, RB, Wayne State (MI)
2008: Bernard Scott, RB, Abilene Christian
2007: Danny Woodhead, RB, Chadron State
2006: Danny Woodhead, RB, Chadron State
2005: Jimmy Terwilliger, QB, East Stroudsburg
2004: Chad Friehauf, QB, Colorado School of Mines
2003: Will Hall, QB, North Alabama
2002: Curt Anes, QB, Grand Valley State
2001: Dusty Bonner, QB, Valdosta State
2000: Dusty Bonner, QB, Valdosta State
1999: Corte McGuffey, QB, Northern Colorado
1998: Brian Shay, RB. Emporia State
1997: Irvin Sigler, RB, Bloomsburg
1996: Jarrett Anderson, RB, Truman State
1995: Ronald McKinnon, LB, North Alabama
1994: Chris Hatcher, QB, Valdosta State
1993: Roger Graham, RB, New Haven
1992: Ronald More, RB, Pittsburg State
1991: Ronnie West, WR, Pittsburg State
1990: Christ Simdorn, QB, North Dakota State
1989: Johnny Bailey, RB, Texas A&M-Kingsville
1988: Johnny Bailey, RB, Texas A&M-Kingsville
1987: Johnny Bailey, RB, Texas A&M-Kingsville
1986: Jeff Bentrim, QB, North Dakota State