CONWAY, Ark. - Hendrix College junior Dayton Winn has been named one of the 10 semifinalists for the 2015 Gagliardi Trophy given to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III by Jostens and the J-Club of Saint John's University of Minnesota.

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.
 
Winn, a running back and return specialist from Pea Ridge, Ark., led the nation with 248.4 all-purpose yards per game. He was also second with 1,761 rushing yards, fifth with 160.1 rushing yards per game and 10th in scoring with 12.0 points per game. Winn averaged 6.1 yards per carry and rushed for 18 touchdowns. He recorded 10 games of 100 or more yards on the ground, including a 283-yard, four-TD performance at Centre on Oct. 3. Winn also caught 25 passes for 358 yards and three scores, compiled 81 yards on 11 punt returns and 532 yards on 23 kickoff returns, including an 88-yard touchdown. He tallied 2,732 all-purpose yards and 22 total touchdowns. Winn broke the SAA and school records in rushing yards and all-purpose yards, as well as the program record for rushing touchdowns, points and total touchdowns.

Winn is the only junior among the 10 semifinalists. Fans can cast their vote for the Gagliardi Trophy here.

The 23^rd annual Gagliardi Trophy will be presented on Wednesday, Dec. 16, in Salem, Va., at a banquet kicking off the Division III championship weekend, which culminates in the Stagg Bowl on Friday, Dec. 18. The four finalists, who will be announced Dec. 8, will be on hand for the announcement of the winner and presentation of the trophy at the banquet.
 
Candidates are nominated by their college president. Nominations were submitted by 18 colleges across the country. The final 10 were selected by the J-Club Board of Directors. 
 
The Gagliardi Trophy national-selection committee is comprised of 40 former small college football players, former Gagliardi Trophy recipients, business leaders, academicians and sports writers from around the country. Each casts a ballot ranking the 10 semifinalists. A fan vote, which will serve as the 41st committee member, will be launched on D3football.com Nov. 23 and run until Monday, Dec. 7.
 
The trophy design features a sculpture of Gagliardi and a player representing the teacher-coach and the student-athlete in a classic one-on-one sideline consultation. Hand-cast in bronze on a polished wood base, the trophy stands nearly two feet tall and weighs approximately 64 pounds. The words "The Gagliardi Trophy presented by Jostens & J-Club" are printed on the acrylic panel behind the figures. The words "Division III 2015 Player of the Year" and "Honoring Excellence in Football, Academics and Community Service" are etched on two panels below the figures.