The Conerly Trophy or Cellular South Conerly Trophy is an award given annually to the best college football

College football

College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...

 player in the state of Mississippi

Mississippi

Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...

 by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.

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

Cellular South

Cellular South Inc., doing business as C Spire Wireless, headquartered in Ridgeland, Mississippi, is the eighth largest wireless provider in the United States. C Spire has approximately 900,000 customers in Mississippi, the Memphis Metropolitan Area, the Florida Panhandle, parts of Alabama...

 has sponsored since 1998, with a contract that extends to June 2010. Previous presentations have been held in Jackson

Jackson, Mississippi

Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...

, Clarksdale

Clarksdale, Mississippi

Clarksdale is a city in Coahoma County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 20,645 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Coahoma County....

, Tunica

Tunica, Mississippi

Tunica is a town in Tunica County, Mississippi, United States, located near the Mississippi River. Until the early 1990s the town was one of the most impoverished places in the United States, semi-famous for the particularly deprived neighbourhood known as "Sugar Ditch Alley", named for the open...

 and Biloxi

Biloxi, Mississippi

Biloxi is a city in Harrison County, Mississippi, in the United States. The 2010 census recorded the population as 44,054. Along with Gulfport, Biloxi is a county seat of Harrison County....

.

Winners and finalists

1996: Tregnel Thomas (Delta State University

Delta State University

Delta State University, also known as DSU, is a regional public university located in Cleveland, Mississippi, United States, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta...

, running back)

• Finalists: Marchant Kenney (University of Southern Mississippi, linebacker), Kris Mangum
  Kris Mangum
  Kris Thomas Mangum is a former American football player who played tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League throughout his entire NFL career. He attended the University of Mississippi. His father, John Mangum, Sr. and his brother, John Mangum, Jr...
  
   (University of Mississippi
  University of Mississippi
  The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
  
  , tight end)

1997: Stewart Patridge

Stewart Patridge

Stewart Patridge is a former American football quarterback best known as the leader of the University of Mississippi Rebels from 1995-1997...

 (University of Mississippi

University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...

, quarterback)

• Finalists: John Avery (University of Mississippi
  University of Mississippi
  The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
  
  , running back), Patrick Surtain
  Patrick Surtain
  Patrick Frank Surtain is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 1998 NFL Draft...
  
   (University of Southern Mississippi, defensive back)

1998: J. J. Johnson

J. J. Johnson (running back)

James E. "J. J." Johnson is a former American football running back of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round of the 1999 NFL Draft...

 (Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University

The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...

, running back)

• Finalists: Rufus French (University of Mississippi
  University of Mississippi
  The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
  
  , tight end), Sherrod Gideon (University of Southern Mississippi, wide receiver)

1999: Deuce McAllister

Deuce McAllister

Dulymus Jenod "Deuce" McAllister is a former American football running back. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft...

 (University of Mississippi

University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...

, running back)

• Finalists: Ashley Cooper
  Ashley Cooper
  Ashley John Cooper AO is a former tennis player from Australia, who was World No. 1 in the late 1950s....
  
   (Mississippi State University
  Mississippi State University
  The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
  
  , defensive back), Adalius Thomas
  Adalius Thomas
  Adalius Donquail Thomas is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern Mississippi.-Early years:...
  
   (University of Southern Mississippi, linebacker)

2000: Josh Bright (Delta State University

Delta State University

Delta State University, also known as DSU, is a regional public university located in Cleveland, Mississippi, United States, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta...

, quarterback)

• Finalists: Dicenzo Miller (Mississippi State University
  Mississippi State University
  The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
  
  , running back), Fred Smoot
  Fred Smoot
  Fredrick "Fred" Duayne Smoot is an American football defensive back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft...
  
   (Mississippi State University
  Mississippi State University
  The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
  
  , defensive back)

2001: Eli Manning

Eli Manning

Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...

 (University of Mississippi

University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...

, quarterback)

• Finalists: Robert Kent
  Robert Kent
  Robert Kent may refer to:* Robert E. Kent, American film writer and film producer* Robert Craig Kent , attorney and political figure from the Commonwealth of Virginia* Robert Kent , American actor...
  
   (Jackson State University
  Jackson State University
  Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
  
  , quarterback), T.C. Taylor (Jackson State University
  Jackson State University
  Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
  
  , wide receiver)

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

• Finalists: Robert Kent
  Robert Kent
  Robert Kent may refer to:* Robert E. Kent, American film writer and film producer* Robert Craig Kent , attorney and political figure from the Commonwealth of Virginia* Robert Kent , American actor...
  
   (Jackson State University
  Jackson State University
  Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
  
  , quarterback), Eli Manning
  Eli Manning
  Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
  
   (University of Mississippi
  University of Mississippi
  The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
  
  , quarterback)

2003: Eli Manning

Eli Manning

Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...

 (University of Mississippi

University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...

, quarterback)

• Finalists: Rod Davis (University of Southern Mississippi, linebacker), Scott Eyster (Delta State University
  Delta State University
  Delta State University, also known as DSU, is a regional public university located in Cleveland, Mississippi, United States, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta...
  
  , quarterback)

2004: Michael Boley

Michael Boley

Michael Boley is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern Miss.-Early years:Boley played high school football for Elkmont High...

 (University of Southern Mississippi, linebacker)

• Finalists: Scott Eyster (Delta State University
  Delta State University
  Delta State University, also known as DSU, is a regional public university located in Cleveland, Mississippi, United States, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta...
  
  , quarterback), Jerious Norwood
  Jerious Norwood
  -2006:In 2006, Norwood played in 14 games and ranked third on the team with 633 rushing yards on 99 carries with two touchdowns to go along with 12 receptions for 102 yards. He also returned 13 kickoffs for 320 yards and tallied three special teams tackles.Norwood was the first player in NFL...
  
   (Mississippi State University
  Mississippi State University
  The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
  
  , running back)

2005: Jerious Norwood

Jerious Norwood

-2006:In 2006, Norwood played in 14 games and ranked third on the team with 633 rushing yards on 99 carries with two touchdowns to go along with 12 receptions for 102 yards. He also returned 13 kickoffs for 320 yards and tallied three special teams tackles.Norwood was the first player in NFL...

 (Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University

The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...

, running back)

• Finalists: Scott Eyster (Delta State University
  Delta State University
  Delta State University, also known as DSU, is a regional public university located in Cleveland, Mississippi, United States, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta...
  
  , quarterback), Patrick Willis
  Patrick Willis
  Patrick L. Willis is an American football player who plays inside linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers 11th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft...
  
   (University of Mississippi
  University of Mississippi
  The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
  
  , linebacker)

2006: Patrick Willis

Patrick Willis

Patrick L. Willis is an American football player who plays inside linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was selected by the San Francisco 49ers 11th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft...

 (University of Mississippi

University of Mississippi

The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...

, linebacker)

• Finalists: Scott Eyster (Delta State University
  Delta State University
  Delta State University, also known as DSU, is a regional public university located in Cleveland, Mississippi, United States, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta...
  
  , quarterback), Damion Fletcher
  Damion Fletcher
  Damion Fletcher is an American football running back at Southern Mississippi.-High school career:...
  
   (University of Southern Mississippi, running back)

2007: Damion Fletcher

Damion Fletcher

Damion Fletcher is an American football running back at Southern Mississippi.-High school career:...

 (University of Southern Mississippi, running back)

• Finalists: Anthony Dixon
  Anthony Dixon
  -2010 season:With the announcement of the sudden retirement of second year player Glen Coffee on August 13, former head coach Mike Singletary stated that Dixon and veteran Michael Robinson would compete for the number 2 running back spot behind Pro Bowler Frank Gore...
  
   (Mississippi State University
  Mississippi State University
  The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
  
  , running back), Titus Brown
  Titus Brown
  Titus Brown was a United States Representative from New Hampshire. He was born in Alstead, New Hampshire. He graduated from Middlebury College in Vermont in 1811. He then studied law and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Reading, Vermont in 1814...
  
   (Mississippi State University
  Mississippi State University
  The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...
  
  , defensive end)

2008: Juan Joseph

Juan Joseph

Juan Joseph is a former professional Arena football quarterback who has also played American and Canadian football. He last played for the Lafayette Wildcatters of the SIFL. He was signed by the Edmonton Eskimos as an undrafted free agent in 2009...

 (Millsaps College

Millsaps College

Millsaps College is a private liberal arts college located in Jackson, Mississippi. Founded in 1890, the college is recognized as one of the country's best private colleges dedicated to undergraduate teaching and educating the whole individual. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Millsaps...

, quarterback)

• Finalists: Peria Jerry
  Peria Jerry
  -Atlanta Falcons:Jerry was signed to a five-year contract by the Falcons on July 30, 2009. Jerry competed with Trey Lewis to replace Grady Jackson, who was not re-signed by the Falcons, at defensive tackle....
  
   (University of Mississippi
  University of Mississippi
  The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
  
  , defensive line), Michael Oher
  Michael Oher
  Michael Jerome Oher is an American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Mississippi for the Ole Miss Rebels...
  
   (University of Mississippi
  University of Mississippi
  The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
  
  , offensive line)

2009: Anthony Dixon

Anthony Dixon

-2010 season:With the announcement of the sudden retirement of second year player Glen Coffee on August 13, former head coach Mike Singletary stated that Dixon and veteran Michael Robinson would compete for the number 2 running back spot behind Pro Bowler Frank Gore...

 (Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University

The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...

, running back)

• Finalists: Dexter McCluster
  Dexter McCluster
  Dexter Marquise McCluster is an American football wide receiver and running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, formerly of the Ole Miss Rebels. He was considered one of the top athlete prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft...
  
   (University of Mississippi
  University of Mississippi
  The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
  
  , running back/wide receiver), Adam Shaffer (Mississippi College
  Mississippi College
  Mississippi College, also known as MC, is a private, Christian university located in Clinton, Mississippi. Mississippi College comprises the main campus in Clinton, as well as satellite campuses in Brandon and Madison, Mississippi, and the Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson...
  
  , quarterback)

2010: Chris White

Chris White (linebacker)

Christopher Andrew "Chris" White is an American football linebacker for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Bills in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. White attended Vancleave High School. He played college football at Mississippi State.-External links:**...

 (Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University

The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...

, linebacker)

• Finalists: Austin Davis
  Austin Davis
  Austin Davis is the starting quarterback for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles college football team. A walk-on to the program, Davis redshirted the 2007 season and became the starter a year later...
  
   (University of Southern Mississippi, quarterback), Casey Therriault (Jackson State University
  Jackson State University
  Jackson State University is a historically black university founded in 1877 in Natchez, MS by the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York. The Society moved the school to Jackson in 1882, renaming it Jackson College, and developed its present campus in 1902. It became a state supported...
  
  , quarterback)

Trophies won by School

Rank	School	Trophies
1	University of Mississippi University of Mississippi The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...	5*
2	Mississippi State University Mississippi State University The Mississippi State University of Agriculture and Applied Science commonly known as Mississippi State University is a land-grant university located in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi, United States, partially in the town of Starkville and partially in an unincorporated area...	4
3	University of Southern Mississippi	3
4	Delta State University Delta State University Delta State University, also known as DSU, is a regional public university located in Cleveland, Mississippi, United States, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta...	2
5	Millsaps College Millsaps College Millsaps College is a private liberal arts college located in Jackson, Mississippi. Founded in 1890, the college is recognized as one of the country's best private colleges dedicated to undergraduate teaching and educating the whole individual. Affiliated with the United Methodist Church, Millsaps...	1

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

External links

• Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum - Conerly Trophy