LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – For the second straight season, UIndy student-athlete Al McKeller finds his name among the candidates for the prestigious Harlon Hill Trophy, giving annually to the best player in Division II college football. The 36-player list was released Monday by the National Harlon Hill Trophy Committee.
 
A native of Indianapolis, McKeller is one of just 10 nominees from Super Region Three. The candidates will be placed on regional ballots with the top two players from each of the country's four regions advancing to the national vote. The winner of the 2019 award will be announced on Friday, Dec. 20 and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club awards banquet on Jan. 9, 2020.
 
McKeller led UIndy to a program-first third consecutive playoff berth in 2019. The hometown product topped the Great Lakes Valley Conference in both rushing yards per game (102.2) and rushing touchdowns (17). McKeller broke the program and conference records for career rushing touchdowns in just his third collegiate season, while becoming the first rusher in school history with three 1,000-yard seasons to his credit.
 
A graduate of local Lawrence North High School, McKeller is also the first-ever Greyhound to garner two Harlon Hill nominations. Previous UIndy candidates include Tom Crowell (1987), Todd Hottell (1989), Josh Gentry (1999), Matt Kohn (2003), Chris Mills (2011), Klay Fiechter (2012), Reece Horn (2015), Jake Purichia (2017) and McKeller himself last fall. UIndy is yet to have a national finalist.
 
The Harlon 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.