JACKSON, Miss. - Mississippi Valley State football senior defensive back Tracy Thompkins is one of 10 finalists for the C Spire Conerly Trophy, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum announced Monday.

The C Spire Conerly Trophy is awarded to the most outstanding college football player in Mississippi. The winner will be announced Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Country Club of Jackson.

Tracy Thompkins led the Mississippi Valley State defense recording 107 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, three forced fumbles and pass breakups, two fumble recovery, one sack and an interception in 2019.  

The senior from Miami, Florida led the SWAC in three categories; tackles (9.7), forced fumbles (.30), and solo tackles (6.1). He was third in fumbles recovered and fourth in tackles for a loss. Amongst the NCAA FCS Thompkins is sixth in solo tackles and 15th in the nation in total tackles. In six games, he had double-digit tackles including a season-high 15 tackles at Lamar. 

For the seventh time in the award's 24-year history, fan voting will count for 10 percent of the award and a panel of statewide sports media will make up the remaining 90 percent. Fan voting will begin today (Nov. 25) at 5 p.m. CT and conclude on Sunday, Dec. 1 at noon CT. Fans can vote online for their favorite player up to three times a day at HERE.

The C Spire Conerly Trophy presentation is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Country Club of Jackson, 345 Saint Andrews Driver, in Jackson. A 5:30 p.m. reception will be followed by the 6:30 p.m. dinner program and trophy presentation. Coaches and finalists from all the schools are expected to attend. For ticket availability or more information, go to msfame.com or call 601.982.8264. Former Southern Miss football legend Reggie Collier will be the special guest speaker at the awards program.

Now in its 24th year, the C Spire Conerly Trophy is named after the late Charlie Conerly – the only football inductee in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame who was an All-American at a Mississippi university, an NFL rookie of the year and NFL All-Pro member and quarterbacked a team to a world championship. C Spire has sponsored the outstanding player awards program for all major college sports in Mississippi since 1998.

  
2019 C SPIRE CONERLY TROPHY FINALISTS
Alcorn State - QB Felix Harper
Belhaven – QB Hunter McEachern
Delta State – DB Junior Faulk
Jackson State – LB Keonte Hampton
Millsaps – DE Liam Vincifora
Mississippi College – QB Detric Hawthorn
Mississippi State – RB Kylin Hill
Mississippi Valley State – DB Tracy Thompkins
Ole Miss – QB John Rhys Plumlee
Southern Miss – QB Jack Abraham