To no one's surprise, Linfield University quarterback Wyatt Smith has been named one of five finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, presented annually to the top all-around football player in NCAA Division III.
 
The award honors not only outstanding play on the football field but also strong academic performance as well as community service contributions.
 
The 2021 Gagliardi Trophy winner will be announced Friday, Dec. 17, on D3football.com prior to the NCAA Division III football national championship game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. CT.
 
Smith, who was a finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy in 2019, enjoyed record-breaking career at Linfield, leading the Wildcats to the quarterfinals of the Division III playoffs.
 
The two-time Northwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year and 2021 West Region Offensive Player of the Year set a bevy of new school records during his four seasons behind center.
 
The McMinnville High School graduate and son of Linfield coach Joseph Smith owns career records for pass attempts (1,258), completions (854), passing yards (10,668), passing TDs (111), total offensive (10,599) and touchdowns responsible for (120).
 
He also holds single-season records for most pass attempts (442), completions (315) and pass completion percentage (71.3).
 
In the single-game record book, he stands atop the lists for most touchdown passes in one game (8) and TD passes in one half (7).
 
This fall, Smith led Linfield to an 11-1 record and a second-straight Northwest Conference crown.
 
The other four finalists in include multi-position player Jefferson Fritz of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas), Blaine Hawkins of Central College (Iowa), Andrew Kamienski of North Central College (Ill.), and Gavin Zimbelman of Aurora University (Ill.).