Redshirt sophomore quarterback Marcus Stokes has officially been named a nominee for the Harlon Hill Trophy out of Super Region 2.

The Harlon Hill Trophy is awarded to the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year. 36 student-athletes from across the country have been nominated for the award, including eight from Super Region 2.

Stokes has garnered national media attention this season as the starting quarterback led the Argos to a 9-1 regular season record, a No. 3 national ranking and the second seed in the NCAA DII playoffs.

The Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Year has produced head-turning numbers this season. Stokes has thrown for 3,100 yards and 29 touchdowns while completing over 60-percent of his passes (210-of-347). He is averaging 281.8 passing yards per game in 11 games played.

His 3,100 yards passing is eighth best in NCAA DII with less pass attempts than all but one of the quarterbacks above him.

The St. Augustine, Fla. native has also rushed for nine touchdowns and 336 rush yards, including a 61 yard rushing score against Delta State.

The sports information directors at the 159 NCAA Division II football-playing institutions nominate and vote on the award. The 36 initial candidates will be placed on regional ballots and the top two players from each of the four NCAA regions will advance to the national ballot when regional voting concludes on Monday, December 1.

The sports information directors at their respective schools initially nominate candidates. The SIDs in those Super Regions vote for their top five candidates. The winner is then determined in a nationwide vote of the Division II sports information directors.

The group of 36 candidates includes 16 quarterbacks, 10 running backs, three wide receivers, three linebackers, a defensive linemen, a safety, a tight end and a punter/kicker.

The list features 20 seniors, 11 juniors, two sophomores and three freshmen.

The winner of the 2025 award will be announced on Friday, December 19.

The 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.