Conerly Trophy

The Conerly Trophy or Cellular South Conerly Trophy is an award given annually to the best college football player in the state of Mississippi by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.^[1]

Voting

Sixty media representatives from across Mississippi determine the Trophy recipient. All players at Mississippi's four-year college football programs are eligible on the first ballot. The top three vote-getters are listed in a second and final ballot.

Voters are instructed to evaluate a player's entire regular season performance and ignore post-season honors or professional potential

The trophy

The Conerly Trophy is a bronze casting, 19" high x 11" long x 7.5" wide, weighing 18.5 lbs. (8.4 kg). The original trophy is on permanent display at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. A replica of the trophy is presented to the winner each year at the announcement dinner.

History

The award was begun in 1996. Cellular South has sponsored since 1998, with a contract that extends to June 2010. Previous presentations have been held in Jackson, Clarksdale, Tunica and Biloxi.

Winners and finalists

1996: Tregnel Thomas (Delta State University, running back)

• Finalists: Marchant Kenney (University of Southern Mississippi, linebacker), Kris Mangum (University of Mississippi, tight end)

1997: Stewart Patridge (University of Mississippi, quarterback)

• Finalists: John Avery (University of Mississippi, running back), Patrick Surtain (University of Southern Mississippi, defensive back)

1998: J. J. Johnson (Mississippi State University, running back)

• Finalists: Rufus French (University of Mississippi, tight end), Sherrod Gideon (University of Southern Mississippi, wide receiver)

1999: Deuce McAllister (University of Mississippi, running back)

• Finalists: Ashley Cooper (Mississippi State University, defensive back), Adalius Thomas (University of Southern Mississippi, linebacker)

2000: Josh Bright (Delta State University, quarterback)

• Finalists: Dicenzo Miller (Mississippi State University, running back), Fred Smoot (Mississippi State University, defensive back)

2001: Eli Manning (University of Mississippi, quarterback)

• Finalists: Robert Kent (Jackson State University, quarterback), T.C. Taylor (Jackson State University, wide receiver)

2002: Rod Davis (University of Southern Mississippi, linebacker)

• Finalists: Robert Kent (Jackson State University, quarterback), Eli Manning (University of Mississippi, quarterback)

2003: Eli Manning (University of Mississippi, quarterback)

• Finalists: Rod Davis (University of Southern Mississippi, linebacker), Scott Eyster (Delta State University, quarterback)

2004: Michael Boley (University of Southern Mississippi, linebacker)

• Finalists: Scott Eyster (Delta State University, quarterback), Jerious Norwood (Mississippi State University, running back)

2005: Jerious Norwood (Mississippi State University, running back)

• Finalists: Scott Eyster (Delta State University, quarterback), Patrick Willis (University of Mississippi, linebacker)

2006: Patrick Willis (University of Mississippi, linebacker)

• Finalists: Scott Eyster (Delta State University, quarterback), Damion Fletcher (University of Southern Mississippi, running back)

2007: Damion Fletcher (University of Southern Mississippi, running back)

• Finalists: Anthony Dixon (Mississippi State University, running back), Titus Brown (Mississippi State University, defensive end)

2008: Juan Joseph (Millsaps College, quarterback)

• Finalists: Peria Jerry (University of Mississippi, defensive line), Michael Oher (University of Mississippi, offensive line)

2009: Anthony Dixon (Mississippi State University, running back)

• Finalists: Dexter McCluster (University of Mississippi, running back/wide receiver), Adam Shaffer (Mississippi College, quarterback)

2010: Chris White (Mississippi State University, linebacker)

• Finalists: Austin Davis (University of Southern Mississippi, quarterback), Casey Therriault (Jackson State University, quarterback)

2011: Austin Davis (University of Southern Mississippi, quarterback)

• Finalists: Johnthan Banks (Mississippi State University, defensive back), Charles Sawyer (University of Mississippi, defensive back), Casey Therriault (Jackson State University, quarterback), Micah Davis (Delta State University, quarterback)

Trophies won by school

• Eli Manning won 2; one in 2001 and the other in 2003.

References

External links

• Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum - Conerly Trophy