Houstonist College Player of the Year: Jarrett Dillard

There were many candidates for this award but Rice All-American wide receiver Jarrett Dillard just stood out above the pack.

Dillard finished the 2008 campaign with 87 receptions for 1,310 yards and 20 touchdowns, which lead the nation. Dillard also helped lead Rice to a 38-14 Texas Bowl win; the school's first bowl win since the 1954 Cotton Bowl.

Dillard's best game of the year came against North Texas when he caught four touchdown passes to go along with his eight catches for 114 yards. Also in that game, Dillard and quarterback Chase Clement set an NCAA record for most quarterback-to-receiver career touchdowns (41).

For his career, Dillard leaves Rice as one of the most potent receivers in NCAA history. His 60 career touchdowns is an NCAA record for wide receivers. Dillard also holds the NCAA record for most games with a touchdown catch in a season (13) and he also set the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown catch (13) back in 2006. Dillard has also recorded 37 games with a touchdown which is also an NCAA record.

Dillard is also projected as a top wide receiver in this year's NFL draft.

Photo courtesy of riceowls.com

Runner up: Case Keenum (UH). Keenum, a sophomore, was second in the nation in passing (5,020) and tops in total yards per game (403.2) in his first full year as UH's starting quarterback. Keenum also led UH to a 34-28 Armed Forces Bowl win over Air Force by scoring three toucdhowns; it was UH's first bowl win since 1980.