LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Named after the late Harlon Hill, a former University of North Alabama standout, the Harlon Hill Award is given annually to the NCAA Division II Football Player of the Year. The Great American Conference announced on Tuesday afternoon the 36 nominees for the award, which included Black Hills State wide receiver TJ Chukwurah as a Super Region #4 candidate, who was the nation's leading receiver in touchdown receptions and receiving yards in the regular season. Super Region #4, which consists of schools from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC), Great American Conference (GAC), Lone Star Conference (LSC), and the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) saw a total of 12 players nominated for the award. From the RMAC Chukwurah will be one of five players on the ballot, joined by Jeffery Jones (New Mexico Highlands), Will Lester (South Dakota Mines), Drew Nash (Western Colorado), and Reggie Retzlaff (CSU Pueblo). Regional voting concludes on Monday, December 1, and the winner will be announced on Friday, December 19.
 
Chukwurah recorded the best single season by a wide receiver in Black Hills State's NCAA Division II era, breaking records for receiving yards (1,100) and receiving touchdowns (16). He began the season with three straight 100-yard receiving games and added another three within the last five games for a total of six such games. At the end of the regular season, he remained tied for fifth in all divisions of NCAA football (FBS, FCS, DII, and DIII) with his 16 receiving touchdowns and was first in NCAA Division II. Against then No. 3/5 Grand Valley State he set career-bests of 12 receptions and 182 receiving yards, while the three receiving touchdowns matched a career-high. He is the only player in the school's DII history to have multiple three receiving touchdown games, having done so now three times and twice in 2025. He also led DII in receiving yards and was second in receiving yards per game during the regular season. He is the RMAC leader in receiving touchdowns, receiving yards, and receiving yards per game.