NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Junior quarterback Connor Barry was named a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Trophy on Friday afternoon. The annual honor goes to the most outstanding football player in the country in Division III. This marks the first time in the 25-year history of the Christopher Newport University football program the Captains have had a student-athlete in the field for the top award.

Barry, from Vienna, Va., is one of 15 semifinalists for the Gagliardi Trophy, which has been awarded annually since 1993. The honor goes to the most outstanding NCAA Division III football player and recognizes excellence in athletics, academics, and community service. The award is named after John Gagliardi, Saint John's University legendary Hall of Fame head football coach who passed away at the age of 91 in 2018. Gagliardi retired in 2012 with 489 career victories, the most in college football history. The announcement Friday was made by the J-Club, a dues-based booster organization at Saint John's consisting of former student-athletes, parents, and fans.

"This is a great honor for Connor Barry and for our program," Head Coach Paul Crowley said. "Connor had a tremendous season and has represented CNU football in an exemplary manner." 

Barry led the Captains to their first-ever undefeated regular season, 10-0, and was voted the Offensive Player of the Year in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. He set numerous school records for passing, including most touchdowns in a season with 35 this year. He also threw for a new mark of 2,866 yards, completed 67 percent of his passes, and averaged 260.5 yards per game passing. Barry also scored 11 times this season on runs, and was named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week six times. 

Barry took over at quarterback last year for Christopher Newport, early in his sophomore season, and has started the last 19 games for the Captains. CNU has won 15 of those 19 games, and the lefty now holds school all-time records for touchdown passes (55), pass efficiency (185.2), average yards per pass (10.5), average yards per completion (15.9), and passing yards per game (185.4).

The Captains fell last Saturday at home to Susquehanna University in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship, ending the year with a 10-1 mark. The list of 15 semifinalists features another quarterback-heavy class, with nine quarterbacks in all, as well as nominees from all six NCAA regions. Nearly all the semifinalists participated in at least the first round of the Division III playoffs. Three nominees – Wisconsin-River Falls' Kaleb Blaha, Susquehanna's Josh Ehrlich, and Curry's Diamontie Quinn – return from last year's list.

The Gagliardi Trophy national-selection committee is comprised of 18 Division III coaches (three from each NCAA Region), six Division III administrators (one from each region), 12 regional notable voters (two from each region) and six national voters with Division III backgrounds. A fan vote, which will run until December 15, will be available soon on D3football.com. 

The Gagliardi Trophy finalists will be announced during a live show at 4 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, on D3football.com. The 2025 Gagliardi Trophy winner will be revealed on D3football.com during the week of the NCAA Division III football national championship game, which will be played in Canton, Ohio, on January 4, 2026.