JACKSON, Miss. – Millsaps football junior punter Ethan Klapatch posted stats this season that rank among the best across the nation and have caught the attention of many across the Magnolia State. On Monday, he was named a nominee for the prestigious 2023 C Spire Conerly Trophy, the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum announced.
 
The junior ranks second in NCAA Division III with 45.8 average yards per punt. Additionally, Klapatch ranks ninth with 2,289 total punting yards off of 50 total boots. He has also totaled 857 yards on 15 kickoffs for a 57.1-yard average.
 
Klapatch became the first punter to be named to the D3football.com Team of the Week four times in a calendar year after earning recognition on Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct. 31 and Nov. 7.
 
He is also the seventh student-athlete across any position to secure recognition at least four times in one year. The Metairie, La., product has also twice been named the South Athletic Association Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week this season.
 
Additionally, Klapatch secured spots to the All-SAA Honorable Mention Defensive Team as a freshman and sophomore.
 
Each college and university in the state with a football program selects one player who they feel best represents their team as the Most Outstanding Player to be nominated for the prestigious award. This year's winner will become the 28th recipient since the program started in 1996. Named in honor of Ole Miss and NFL star Charlie Conerly, the award is voted on by a panel of media and NFL scouts who cover college football in the state.

This award has come to represent the Mississippi version of the Heisman Trophy. It is highly coveted and respected throughout the country. Previous winners of the C Spire Conerly Trophy have gone on to successful NFL careers including Eli Manning, Jerious Norwood, Dak Prescott, and Evan Engram. Two former recipients, Deuce McAllister and Patrick Willis, have been enshrined in the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
 
The 2023 C Spire Conerly winner will be announced during a presentation at the Country Club of Jackson on November 28th. A reception will be held at 5:30 p.m., with the program and dinner to follow at 6:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are available at the Hall of Fame office or online at www.msfame.com.
 
Klapatch and his teammates will await the announcement of the 2023 All-SAA Football Team in the days ahead.
 
2023 C Spire Conerly Trophy Nominees

• Alcorn State University – Aaron Allen (Quaterback)
• Belhaven University – Kolbe Blunt (Running Back)
• Delta State University – Patrick Shegog (Quarterback)
• Jackson State University – Irv Mulligan (Running Back)
• Millsaps College – Ethan Klapatch (Punter)
• Mississippi College – Marcus Williams (Running Back)
• Mississippi State University – Nathaniel Watson (Linebacker)
• Mississippi Valley State University – Rondey Luckett (Center)
• University of Mississippi – Quinshon Judkins (Running Back)
• University of Southern Mississippi – Frank Gore, Jr. (Running Back)

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