FLORENCE, Ala. – Humboldt State senior running back Ja'Quan Gardner was named one of 10 finalists for the 2017 Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year.

Finalists were selected by the nation's sports information directors from a field of 34 nominees. The list of 2017 finalists includes five quarterbacks, three running backs, one receiver and a defensive lineman.

Gardner earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and was a unanimous First Team All-GNAC selection at running back. The Ceres, Calif., native led the GNAC in rushing yards (1,259), rushing touchdowns (19) and carries (203). He became the conference's all-time rushing leader this season eclipsing the record held by former Azusa Pacific running back Terrell Watson with 5,426 rushing yards. Gardner also moved to the top of the GNAC record book in career rushing touchdowns (70) and carries (878).

Gardner was the Harlon Hill Trophy runner-up in 2015.

National voting will conclude on Saturday, Dec. 9 and the winner of the 2017 award, which is presented by the National Harlon Hill Award Committee, will be announced on Friday, Dec. 15.

The winner will be honored at a luncheon on the University of North Alabama campus on Jan. 5, 2018.