Lenoir-Rhyne's Artis Named Finalist for Harlon Hill Award

COURTESY OF LENOIR-RHYNE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS

HICKORY, N.C. - Lenoir-Rhyne senior DE Jaquan Artis has been named a finalist for the 2019 Harlon Hill Award. Artis becomes just the second Bear to be up for the most prestigious individual award in Division II and the first since Leonard Davis was named a finalist in 1994. Artis is the only defensive player selected as a finalist.

Artis was named an AFCA Second Team All-American yesterday and also has been tabbed the South Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Gene Upshaw award. Artis' 14.5 sacks currently ranks first in all of Division II and his 23 tackles for loss ranks him fourth. Artis anchors a defense that ranks seventh in the nation in scoring defense (15.5) and eighth in rushing defense (81.3) and is 13-0 for the first time in team history. 

Artis has the Bears in the NCAA Quarterfinal for the second straight year and is one of eight finalists for the award

The sports information directors at the 167 NCAA Division II football-playing institutions nominate and vote on the award. The winner of the 2019 award will be announced on Friday,  December 20 and the winner will be honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club awards banquet on January 9, 2020.

The sports information directors at their respective schools  nominate candidates. The SIDs in those Super Regions vote for their top five candidates. The winner is then determined in a nation-wide vote of the Division II sports information directors.

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.

Harlon Hill Finalists:
Super Region 1: Notre Dame College RB Jaleel McLaughlin and Slippery Rock QB Chance Stewart
Super Region 2: Lenoir-Rhyne DE Jaquan Artis and Valdosta St. QB Rogan Wells
Super Region 3: Central Missouri QB Brook Bolles and Harding RB Cole Chancey
Super Region 4: Minnesota St RB Nate Gunn and Tarleton State WR Zimari Manning