LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Kutztown University quarterback Judd Novak (Manheim, Pa./Manheim Central) has been named a national finalist for the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy, presented to the NCAA Division II Football Player of the Year. The eight finalists were announced Wednesday morning by the Little Rock Touchdown Club, in conjunction with the Great American Conference.
 
Novak has put forth another tremendous season, leading the Golden Bears to their second straight unbeaten regular season, third consecutive PSAC championship, a 13-0 overall record and the NCAA DII quarterfinals for the second time in the last three years.
 
The redshirt junior from Manheim, Pa., has already established new career-highs in pass completions (184), passing yards (2,674) and passing touchdowns (25), while his 66.9% completion percentage and 205.7 passing yards per game stand to become new career-bests. Novak also boasts a 25:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
 
Novak leads the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) and ranks second in NCAA Division in passing efficiency (178.6), while also topping the PSAC and ranking third nationally in yards per pass (9.72). He is among the top five in the PSAC in passing yards (second), completion percentage (second), passing TDs (third), yards per completion (third, 14.53), points responsible for per game (fourth, 13.8) and total offense (fifth, 233.5 yards per game).
 
Novak was voted the 2025 PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Year by the league's coaches in addition to being selected All-PSAC East First Team. He is a three-time All-PSAC East honoree, earning Second Team honors in 2023 and 2024.
 
Since being inserted as the starting quarterback prior to the second game of the 2023 season, Novak has compiled a 36-3 record while helping Kutztown to three straight PSAC East titles and PSAC Championship Game victories. The Golden Bears have qualified for the NCAA DII Championship playoffs in each of Novak's three seasons as a starter, reaching the semifinals in 2023, the second round in 2024 and playing in the quarterfinals this year.
 
Novak has thrown for 6,917 yards and 66 touchdowns, along with rushing for 1,439 yards and 15 touchdowns in 39 career games. He ranks fourth in program history in career TD passes, fourth in career passing yards, fifth in career completions (506) and sixth in career pass attempts (834).
 
Novak is Kutztown's first Harlon Hill Trophy national finalist since 1992 and fourth all-time. All-purpose running back Mark Steinmeyer finished a program-record fourth in the national voting in 1991, running back Paul Magistro finished seventh in 1986 and quarterback Andy Breault, KU's most recent finalist in 1992, placed ninth.
 
Two representatives from each of Division II's four super regions make up the eight finalists for the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy. Joining Novak from Super Region 1 is Virginia Union running back Curtis Allen. Super Region 2 finalists are quarterbacks Reed Charpia of Newberry and Marcus Stokes of West Florida. Two more signal callers are on the ballot from Super Region 3, with Minnesota State Moorhead's Jack Strand and UIndy's Gavin Sukup. Harding running back Andrew Miller and Western Colorado quarterback Drew Nash represent Super Region 4.
 
The winner of the 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy will be announced on Friday, December 19.
 
The Harlon Hill Trophy is named for the late Harlon Hill, the former University of North Alabama standout who excelled with the Lions from 1950-53 before going on to fame in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears.