COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. - Kolbe Blunt of the Belhaven Football team has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious 2023 Gagliardi Trophy presented by Stearns Bank and J-Club of Saint John's University (Minn.). The Gagliardi Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding football player in Division III and, this year, saw a record number of nominations in its 30 year history.

Blunt was named as one of 20 semifinalists for the award following his 2023 campaign that was record-setting for the Belhaven Football program and saw him rank among the best offensive players in the nation.

Blunt was dominant in his final season in the Green and Gold, rushing for a career-high 1,230 yards on 138 carries and a joint career-high 17 rushing touchdowns. The Alabama native saw his single-season rushing total set a new program record for Belhaven, eclipsing his record-breaking mark from a year ago, 1,172 yards. His 17 rushing touchdowns also tie his program record for single-season rushing touchdowns set in 2022.

Blunt's 2023 campaign also has aided him in continuing to rewrite the record books for Belhaven rushing records. With his stellar year this season, Blunt broke the program's all-time rushing yards record, now having rushed for 3,370 yards across his Blazers' career. 

Having broken the career rushing touchdowns record last season, Blunt's 2023 scores continue to push that mark out to new heights. Across his career, Blunt is now up to 44 career rushing touchdowns and incredibly, he has rushed for a touchdown in 20 straight games dating back to the start of the 2022 season.

The graduate running back was the first Blazer to be honored as the Offensive Player of the Year in the USA South since the program joined the conference ahead of the 2022 season. He and the Blazers finished with a program record nine wins in the 2023 campaign, the third straight season in which they have set a new winningest season mark. Along with his conference recognition, Blunt was named to the USA South All-Conference First Team. He is also a nominee for the C Spire Conerly Trophy presented by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame later this month.

About the Gagliardi Trophy...

"The Gagliardi Trophy, given annually since 1993 is awarded to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player and 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 passed away at the age of 91 in 2018. John retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history."

About the Gagliardi Trophy selection process...

"A record number of nominations were submitted by colleges across the country, and the semifinalists were selected by the J-Club Board of Directors. The Gagliardi Trophy national-selection committee is comprised of 18 Division III coaches (three from each NCAA Region), six Division III administrators (one from each region), 12 regional notable voters (two from each region) and six national voters with Division III backgrounds. A fan vote, which runs until Dec. 2, will be live soon on D3football.com. No J-Club members vote as part of the national-selection committee."

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