Football

Nov 20, 2007
UND's Weston Dressler Among Final Nine For Harlon Hill Trophy

Weston Dressler

North Dakota senior wide receiver Weston Dressler has been named one of nine regional finalists in regional voting for the 2007 Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded annually to the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year.

The top two players  from  each of the Northeast, Southwest and Northwest regions advanced through regional voting, as well as three from the Southeast, where there was a tie in the voting. The finalists were selected by the NCAA Division II sports information directors in regional voting and are now on the national ballot where all 149 of the division's SIDs will select the award's 22nd  winner.

Dressler, a native of Bismarck, N.D., was named to the All-North Central Conference First Team at three positions (wide receiver, return specialist and utility) earlier this week, believed to be the first player in league history to do so. Dressler, who has now earned seven different All-NCC honors at three different positions, also became just the fourth four-time first teamer in league history and was named the league's most valuable receiver for the second straight season.

In 11 games this season, Dressler has caught 71 passes for an NCC-leading 1,178 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging a career-high 16.6 yards per reception. He also ranks third in the NCC in all-purpose yards (1,923) and punt return average (11.8) and ranks fourth in all-purpose yards per game (174.8).

UND's all-time leader in receptions (234), receiving yards (3,280), touchdown receptions (37) and all-purpose yards (6,936), Dressler has set or tied 19 school records and is the first player in school history with two 1,000-yard seasons as well as the first with two seasons of 10 or more touchdown receptions.

Dressler has been equally successful in the classroom, where he carries a 3.75 grade point average as a management major. Earlier this month he was named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District First Team for the second consecutive season and is bidding for his second straight ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America First Team honor. Dressler is also a three-time Academic All-NCC selection and was a 2007 national semifinalist for the prestigious Draddy Trophy, the top academic honor in NCAA football.

The winner of the 2007 award, which is presented by the National Harlon Hill Award Committee, will be announced at the 22nd annual Harlon Hill Trophy Presentation Banquet on Friday, December 14 at the Florence Conference Center at 6:30 p.m. This year's Hill Trophy Banquet will also include the ninth induction into the Division II Football Hall of Fame.

Dressler is aiming to become the first player in UND football history to win the Harlon Hill Trophy. The Sioux have had five top-eight finalists, including running back Shannon Burnell (1992), linebacker Mike Mooney (1994), wide receiver Jeff McElroy (1995), running back Phillip Moore (1997) and linebacker Digger Anderson (2005).   --Courtesy UND Athletic Media Relations