Former Birdville running back is up for Division II Player of the Year award

Tarleton State running back Xavier Turner, a former standout at Birdville, has been named among the nation’s 37 initial nominees for the Harlon Hill Trophy, which is awarded to the nation’s Division II Player of the Year.

The candidates will be placed on regional ballots and the top two players from each of the four NCAA regions will advance to the national ballot when regional voting concludes on Nov. 26. The winner will be announced on Dec. 14 and the winner will be honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club awards banquet Jan. 10.

Turner became only the sixth player in program history to rush for over 1,000 yards in the regular season. He is currently in the midst of seven consecutive 100-yard rushing performances – which includes two 200-yard rushing efforts. Turner has also scored a touchdown in eight-straight games and his 21 TDs this season has him one shy of the single-season record.

The senior has rushed 177 times for 1,306 yards and 21 TDs this season. His 1,306 rushing yards is the third-most in a single season in program history.

The undefeated Texans (11-0) play Texas A&M-Commerce in the second round of the NCAA playoffs, 1 p.m. Saturday.

Last season, Turner was second team all-conference and named the team’s offensive MVP. He rushed for 765 yards and 11 TDs.

During his three years with the Birdville Hawks, Turner lettered every year and was a team captain. He was district MVP as a senior when he rushed for 2,987 yards and 55 TDs.

Turner went to Navarro College after high school, where he rushed for 741 yards and 4 TDs as a sophomore.