High School Football

Ex-Central Valley back Ja'Quan Gardner a nominee for NCAA Div. II Player of the Year

By Brian Clark
Humboldt State’s Ja’Quan Gardner, a former Central Valley High of Ceres standout and 2014 graduate, rushes for yardage against Azusa Pacific University in 2014. In 2017, he finished with 1,259 yards and became a Harlon Hill Award nominee.
Humboldt State’s Ja’Quan Gardner, a former Central Valley High of Ceres standout and 2014 graduate, rushes for yardage against Azusa Pacific University in 2014. In 2017, he finished with 1,259 yards and became a Harlon Hill Award nominee. Humbolt State Humboldt State University

Ja'Quan Gardner made the most of his senior season.

The former Central Valley High School star running back out of Ceres, now at Humboldt State, is one of 34 nominees for the Harlon Hill Trophy given to the NCAA Division II College Football Player of the Year.

A runner-up for the award in 2015, Gardner is a candidate again, having rushed for 1,259 yards and 19 touchdowns in leading the Lumberjacks to an 8-2 record. They lost on Saturday to unbeaten Central Washington to conclude their season.

Gardner was recently named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year and a first-team All-GNAC selection.

He also set the record for most career rushing yards (5,426) in the GNAC, breaking the mark set by Terrell Watson of Azusa Pacific. Garder also is the career conference leader in touchdowns (70) and carries (878).

Draft Diamonds and message boards have him listed as a potential 2018 draft weekend prospect. Draft Scout rankings have him at No. 57 among running backs to possibly enter next year's draft.









This story was originally published November 20, 2017 at 7:46 PM with the headline "Ex-Central Valley back Ja'Quan Gardner a nominee for NCAA Div. II Player of the Year."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER