COLUMBUS, Ohio — Wyoming senior running back CJ Hester and Moeller junior running back Jordan Marshall were named Wednesday afternoon as Ohio Mr. Football finalists by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
The OPSWA district chairpersons and the OPSWA officers selected seven student-athletes as finalists for the 2022 Ohio Mr. Football Award, the Ohio High School Athletic Association announced in a news release.
The voting process will be nearly identical to that used to determine the Heisman Trophy winner in college football.
The Ohio Mr. Football award winner will be announced Dec. 1 in Canton prior to the start of the OHSAA football state championships.
The Ohio Mr. Football Award was presented by the Associated Press from 1987-2016. Since 2017, it has been presented by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association.
The OPSWA all-state teams will start to be released Dec. 5.
Greater Cincinnati's most recent Ohio Mr. Football winners occurred in 2019 (Wyoming quarterback Evan Prater) and 2020 (Roger Bacon running back Corey Kiner).
This season, Marshall has helped to lead Moeller (13-1) to a Division I state semifinal against Springfield (12-1) at 7 p.m. Friday at Piqua High School's Alexander Stadium.
Hester, a Western Michigan University verbal commit, has led Wyoming (14-0) to a Division IV state semifinal against Steubenville (12-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Historic Crew Stadium in Columbus.
The finalists are listed in alphabetical order:
Darreon Fair, Cleveland Heights, 5-11, 175, sr., QB
The Northeast Lakes District Division I Offensive Player of the Year scored 40 total TDs and led the Tigers to a 9-1 record. He rushed for 1,318 yards and 29 TDs on 116 attempts and threw for 644 yards and 11 TDs on 41-of-75 passing.
CJ Hester, Wyoming, 5-11, 190, SR, RB/DB
Three-time Southwest District Division IV Offensive Player of the Year carried the ball 228 times for 2,081 yards (9.1 yards per carry) and 33 TDs in the regular season as the Cowboys finished undefeated and No. 2 in the final AP Poll. Currently has 2,967 yards and 46 TDs on 331 carries for a top-seeded D-IV state semifinalist. Among the school records he set this year were most rushing yards in a game (351), most rushing TDs in a game (7) and most points scored in a game (42). The Western Michigan verbal commit has rushed for 6,951 yards in his career and has 110 total TDs.
Diore Hubbard, Gahanna Lincoln, 5-11, 185, jr., RB.
Through 14 games the Central District Division I Offensive Player of the Year has rushed for 2,306 yards on 309 carries (7.5 average), has 287 yards receiving on 22 receptions and has 29 total TDs for a top-seeded Division I state semifinalist.
Jordan Marshall, Moeller, 5-11 200, jr., RB
Carried the ball 161 times for 1,290 yards (7.9 yds per carry) and 20 TDs and caught 16 passes for 278 yards and four TDs in the regular season. Currently has 1,796 yards and 27 TDs on 217 carries for a top-seeded Division I state semifinalist. Named GCL South Player of the Year and Southwest District Division I Offensive Player of the Year. Four-star recruit and one of the country’s Top 10 junior running back prospects according to 247 Sports.
Lamar Sperling, Akron Archbishop Hoban, 5-10, 190, sr., RB
The Northeast Inland District Division II Offensive Player of the Year has logged 339 carries, 3,348 rushing yards and 51 rushing touchdowns in 14 games. The Buffalo verbal commit ran for 2,934 yards and 41 TDs in 16 games last year.
Connor Walendzak, Perrysburg, 5-11, 195, sr., RB
Toledo verbal commit and Northwest District Division I Offensive Player of the Year ran 166 times for 1,320 yards and 18 touchdowns in the regular season. Also finished with 102 tackles (14.5 for loss), 3.5 sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles. Was named Northern Lakes League Player of the Year and first team at running back and linebacker. Selected All-Ohio first team running back in 2020 and second team in 2021.
Mason Wolfe, Millersburg West Holmes, 6-3, 190, sr., QB
The East District Division IV Offensive Player of the Year completed 137-of-195 passes (70.3% completion) for 2,511 yards, 34 TDs and only 2 INTs. Added another three rushing TDs for the Knights who finished the regular season 10-0 and ranked No. 3 in Division IV state poll. Directed an offense that averaged 51 points.
