COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The Saint John's University J-Club released its candidates for the 30th annual Gagliardi Trophy on Tuesday, Nov. 21, presented by Stearns Bank, recognizing the most outstanding football player in NCAA Division III. The award is the premier individual award in Division III football, and is based on excellence in athletics, academics, and community service.

After a record number of nominations, 20 candidates have been selected to move on to the voters as semifinalists for the 2023 Gagliardi Trophy, including Kaleb Blaha from UW-River Falls.

Blaha wrapped up his junior season this fall and was named an All-WIAC First Team All-Purpose Back and All-WIAC Second Team Quarterback. He broke several UWRF records, including the single season record for rushing touchdowns with 22 and total offense with 3,882. A two-year team captain, Blaha is studying Health & Human Performance at UWRF. He has volunteered his time for Falcon Football Community Youth Day events, breast cancer awareness initiatives, and Trick or Treat for Canned Goods and Change Drive to benefit the River Falls Food Pantry.

A three-time D3football.com National Team of the Week honoree this season, Blaha finished the regular season as the NCAA Division III leader with 388.2 yards of total offense per game, and broke UWRF single-game records with 566 yards of total offense at Ohio Wesleyan (Sept. 9) and six rushing touchdowns at UW-Stout (Oct. 28), which also tied a WIAC record.

The Gagliardi Trophy finalists will be announced during a live show on Thursday, Dec. 7, on D3football.com. Hosts Pat Coleman and Frank Rossi will profile the finalists during the program. The 2023 Gagliardi Trophy winner will be revealed on D3football.com during the week of the NCAA Division III football national championship on the evening of Friday, Dec. 15. In the lead up to the announcement of the 2023 Gagliardi Trophy winner, D3football.com will provide updates on specific dates and times of the announcement.

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.