JACKSON - Jason O'Rear, a junior wide receiver from Mandeville, Louisiana, has been named one of ten finalists for the 2011 Conerly Trophy Presented by C Spire Wireless. The award is given by the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in Jackson to the best player in the state as voted on by the media.
This season, he became Millsaps' all-time leader in career touchdown receptions with 21. He leads the team this season with 40 catches for 714 yards and 6 touchdowns to lead the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. He also leads the conference with a 17.3 average per catch. His biggest game this season was on October 8th against the Austin College 'Roos where he caught 9 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown. At one point in the season, Jason went on a streak of four games with at least 100 yards receiving and at least one touchdown. Jason, a senior academically, is graduating in May with a degree in business administration.
Former Millsaps quarterback Juan Joseph made history in 2008 when he became the first Division III athlete to take home the Conerly Trophy.
The other finalists this year are Southern Miss senior quarterback Austin Davis, Delta State senior quarterback Micah Davis, Jackson State quarterback Casey Therriault, Ole Miss sophomore defensive back Charles Sawyer, Alcorn State punt returner/wide receiver Terrence Lewis, Belhaven running back Justin Gaines, Mississippi College defensive back Jarrad Craine, Mississippi State cornerback Johnathan Banks, and Mississippi Valley State wide receiver Paul Cox.
