Manheim Central grad national finalist for Harlon Hill Trophy
2025 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
Kutztown University quarterback Judd Novak 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 by the Little Rock Touchdown Club, in conjunction with the Great American Conference.
Novak, a Manheim Central grad, has led the Golden Bears to their second straight unbeaten regular season, third consecutive PSAC championship, a 13-0 record and the NCAA DII quarterfinals for the second time in the last three years.
Novak is Kutztown’s first Harlon Hill 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 was ninth 1992.
The redshirt junior has established career-highs in pass completions (184), passing yards (2,674) and passing touchdowns (25); his 66.9 percent completion percentage and 205.7 passing yards per game would be career bests. Novak boasts a 25-to-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Novak leads the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and ranks second in the country in passing efficiency (178.6), while also topping the conference 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 the PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Year. 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, leading Kutztown to three straight PSAC East titles.
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).
Two representatives from each of Division II’s four super regions make up the eight finalists. 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 will be announced December 19.
