First off, just as a reminder: The Gagliardi Trophy is not the Division III equivalent of the Heisman.

The award doesn’t always go to the best player in Division III. The mission of the award is different than the Heisman’s, or, at least, the end results are. The instructions to voters say it all: “The winner of the award should exhibit excellence in three areas: football, academics and service/leadership on campus and/or in his community.”

It goes on to give the most salient point, one which I think should be emphasized. “First and foremost, however, it is a football award; you should consider the candidate’s scholastic and extra-curricular records to help you break a tie.”

With that reminder out of the way, I have to say, this is about as wide open a final four as I remember.

• Blaine Westemeyer, Sr., Tackle, Augustana
• Spud Dick, Sr., Quarterback, DePauw
• Alex Tanney, Jr., Quarterback, Monmouth
• John Peters, Sr., Linebacker, Union

No Mount Union players, no UW-Whitewater players. Two quarterbacks, a defensive player and an offensive lineman. Only one defensive player has ever won the award and no offensive linemen have.

Sometimes I look at the final four and I have a pretty good idea who is going to be on the podium in Salem. But I don’t this year.

This is going to be pretty interesting.