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Mississippi College senior wide receiver Marcel Newson is one of 43 student-athlete nominated from across the country for the 2016 Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II College Football Player of the Year.
Newson (Coldwater, Miss.) was a First Team All-Gulf South Conference selection as a wide receiver and return specialist, leading the league in all-purpose yards per game (180.6) and receiving yards per game (94.8). He became MC’s first All-GSC selection on the First Team since 1995.
The Northwest MS CC transfer led the Choctaws with 57 catches for 853 yards and five touchdowns, also carrying the ball 16 times for 193 yards and two scores. Newson also returned 15 kickoffs for 409 yards and a touchdown with 11 punt returns for 170 yards and a score.
Marcel tallied four different touchdowns of over 70 yards this season: punt return (73 yards vs. Valdosta State), rush (75 yards vs. Cumberland), reception (83 yards vs. Delta State) and kickoff return (93 yards vs. Shorter).
“It’s great to see Marcel be rewarded for such an outstanding season,” said head coach John Bland. “He was a threat from anywhere on the field on offense and special teams. He was a special player for us over his two seasons, and I’m glad he’s being recognized.”
Newson becomes only the second Choctaw to be up for the Harlon Hill Trophy that began being awarded in 1986. Fred McAfee was a finalist for the award in 1990.
Not only did Newson stand out in the 2016 season where he set single-season school records for receptions per game (6.33) and all-purpose yards per game (180.6), but he will also go down as MC’s all-time leader in receptions per game (5.11) and all-purpose yards per game (146.2).
He tallied 97 career catches for 1,509 yards and 13 touchdowns, ranking in the top-10 in MC history for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.
Candidates are initially nominated by the sports information directors at their respective schools and are then voted on by the SIDs in those Super Regions. The winner is then determined in a nation-wide vote of the Division II sports information directors.
The winner of the 2016 award, which is presented by the National Harlon Hill Award Committee, will be announced on Friday, December 16 via a webcast and the winner will be honored at a luncheon on the University of North Alabama campus on January 6, 2017.
The Hill Trophy is sponsored by the City of Florence, Ala., Opti-Net, Herff Jones and the Marriott Shoals Hotel and Spa.
The group of 43 candidates includes 20 quarterbacks, eight running backs, six receivers, three defensive linemen, two linebackers, one offensive lineman, one defensive back, one tight end and one kicker. There are 24 seniors nominated and 19 under classmen.
There are seven nominees from Super Region 1, 11 from Super Region 2, 14 from Super Region 3 and 11 from Super Region 4.
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