Football | 11/16/2021 9:25:00 AM

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame has announced its annual C Spire Conerly Trophy finalists and MVSU running back Caleb Johnson was named one of ten finalists for the coveted award.
 
The Conerly Trophy has been handed out to the best college football player in Mississippi every year since it began in 1996.
 
Johnson currently ranks just outside the top-30 in the FCS with 786 rushing yards and top-40 for rush yards per game (78.6). The redshirt sophomore from Memphis, Tennessee currently sits third in the SWAC for rushing touchdowns (6) and seventh in rush yards per carry (4.05) to go along with eight catches for 35 yards plus a score through the air.
 
Despite no Delta Devil having won the award to date, numerous student-athletes have been named finalists including one representative each of the past 11 seasons. That list includes Jerry Garner (2020), Tracy Thompkins (2019), Booker Chambers (2018), Mark Pegues (2017), Austin Bray (2016), Marquis Green (2015), Julian Stafford (2014), Avery Boykin (2013), Robert Simpson (2012) and Paul Cox (2011).
 
Notable winners in years past have been current Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore (2020, Ole Miss), Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons (2018, Mississippi State), Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown (2017, Ole Miss), Giants tight end Evan Engram (2016, Ole Miss), Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (2014 & 2015, Mississippi State), former 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (2006, Ole Miss), former Giants quarterback and two-time Super Bowl MVP (XLII & XLVII) Eli Manning (2001 & 2003, Ole Miss) and former Saints running back and Super Bowl XLIV Champion Deuce McAllister.
 
The award has been dominated by the two SEC powerhouses as each of Ole Miss and Mississippi State have had players win nine times each (including the last nine winners) and 18 of 25 in total. Only three non-FBS players have ever had the honor of winning this prestigious award as Delta State had two winners (Tregnel Thomas, 1996 & Josh Bright, 2000) with Millsaps' Juan Joseph being the last to claim one for the lower divisions in 2008.