Dee Delaney, Khalil Lewis among finalists as SC’s top football collegian

Citadel cornerback Dee Delaney (Whale Branch) and Gardner-Webb running back Khalil Lewis (Hilton Head Island) are among 25 finalists chosen for this year's South Carolina Football Hall of Fame Collegiate Player of the Year award.

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson heads the list, seeking to become the first man to win back-to-back trophies. The award is in its fourth year, to be presented at the Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony next April.

All nominees must be either from the state of South Carolina or play for one of the state's 13 college football programs. The winner will be determined by an online vote of the Hall of Fame's board of directors, executive team, supporting members and media.

Delaney, an FCS All-American in 2015, has added three more interceptions to his career total this year for a Citadel team that entered Saturday unbeaten through its first seven games. Two of those picks came in a September win over Furman, earning him Defensive Player of the Week honors in the Southern Conference.

Delaney's 10 career interceptions currently rank fifth on The Citadel's all-time list, and his 26 pass breakups are tied for seventh.

Lewis entered Saturday leading all FCS players with 12 rushing touchdowns through eight games, needing just one more TD to match the school record set by Shed Harris in 1996.

The former Seahawk owns five 100-yard rushing performances this season, including last week's career best of 138 yards against Kennesaw State. His 817 yards also toppeed all Big South rushers entering the weekend.

This story was originally published October 30, 2016 at 1:18 PM with the headline "Dee Delaney, Khalil Lewis among finalists as SC’s top football collegian."