COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – December 11, 2019– Four quarterbacks and one running back make up the five finalists for the 2019 Gagliardi Trophy, an award presented by Jostens to the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. The finalist list also contains the 2018 Gagliardi Trophy winner, Saint John's University senior quarterback Jackson Erdmann.

2019 Gagliardi Trophy presented by Jostens Finalists:

Jackson Erdmann, Saint John's University
    QB | 6-4 ,215 | Senior | Global Business Leadership

Broc Rutter, North Central College (Ill.)
    QB | 6-2, 204 | Senior | Marketing

Robert Shufford, Birmingham-Southern College
    RB | 5-7, 170 | Junior | Finance, Mathematics

Wyatt Smith, Linfield College
    QB | 6-0, 205 | Junior | Finance 

Gavin Zimbelman, Aurora University
    QB | 5-10, 185 | Junior | Business Administration and Sports Management

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. John passed away in the fall of 2018 at the age of 91.

The five Gagliardi Trophy finalists were revealed by D3football.com on Thursday, Dec. 12, in a live streaming broadcast. The winner of the 2019 Gagliardi Trophy will be announced by D3football.com on Friday, Dec. 20, prior to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.  

The trophy design features a sculpture of Gagliardi and a player, representing the teacher-coach and the student-athlete in a one-on-one sideline consultation. Hand-cast in bronze on a polished wood base, the trophy stands nearly two feet tall and weighs over 50 pounds. The words "The Gagliardi Trophy presented by Jostens & J-Club" are printed on the acrylic panel behind the figures. The words "Division III 2019 Player of the Year" and "Honoring Excellence in Football, Academics and Community Service" are etched on two panels below the figures.

Nominations were submitted by colleges across the country, and 12 semifinalists were selected by the J-Club Board of Directors. The finalists then moved on to the Gagliardi Trophy national-selection committee, which is comprised of 16 coaches, 4 NCAA Division III administrators, 12 regional voters 7 national D3 expert. Each cast a ballot ranking the semifinalists. A fan ballot, which served as the 40th committee member was operates on D3football.com had over 15,000 votes cast.

Past Winners
2018 - Jackson Erdmann, QB, Saint John's University (Minn.) 
2017 - Brett Kasper, QB, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh 
2016 - Carter Hanson, LB, Saint John's University (Minn.) 
2015 - Joe Callahan, QB, Wesley College (Del.)
2014 - Kevin Burke, QB, University of Mount Union (Ohio) 
2013 - Kevin Burke, QB, University of Mount Union (Ohio) 
2012 - Scottie Williams, RB, Elmhurst College (Ill.) 
2011 - Michael Zweifel, WR, University of Dubuque (Iowa)
2010 - Eric Watt, QB, Trine University (Ind.)
2009 - Blaine Westemeyer, OL, Augustana College (Ill.) 
2008 - Greg Micheli, QB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
2007 - Justin Beaver, RB, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 
2006 - Josh Brehm, QB, Alma College (Mich.) 
2005 - Brett Elliott, QB, Linfield College (Ore.)
2004 - Rocky Myers, SS, Wesley College (Del.)
2003 - Blake Elliott, WR/PR/KR, Saint John's University (Minn.)
2002 - Dan Pugh, RB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
2001 - Chuck Moore, RB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
2000 - Chad Johnson, QB, Pacific Lutheran University (Wash.)
1999 - Danny Ragsdale, QB, University of Redlands (Calif.)
1998 - Scott Hvistendahl, WR/P, Augsburg College (Minn.)
1997 - Bill Borchert, QB, Mount Union College (Ohio)
1996 - Lon Erickson, QB, Illinois Wesleyan University
1995 - Chris Palmer, WR, Saint John's University (Minn.)
1994 - Carey Bender, RB, Coe College (Iowa)
1993 - Jim Ballard, QB, Mount Union College (Ohio)

About Jostens
Founded in 1897 and based in Minneapolis, MN, Jostens is a trusted partner in the academic and achievement channel, providing products, programs and services that help its customers celebrate important moments. The company's products comprise yearbooks, publications, jewelry and consumer goods that serve the K-12 educational, college and professional sports segments.

About Saint John's University J-Club
Founded in 1959, the Saint John's University J-Club is a dues-based booster organization of former Johnnie student-athletes, parents and fans, and plays a key role in support of the SJU varsity programs, intramurals and club sports. Saint John's is a private liberal arts college for men located in Collegeville, Minn.