Dover, Del. (Nov. 22, 2022) --- Delaware State running back Marquis Gillis (r-fr.; Milford, Del.) has been selected as the 2022 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie-of-the-Year in voting by league head coaches and sports information representatives announced today.
Gillis was fifth in the MEAC in rushing at 49.5 yards per game (545 total) during the regular season. He also rushed for five touchdowns to tie for fifth in the league this year.
Gillis rushed for a career-high 123 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries in the Hornets' 28-7 win over Norfolk State on Oct. 15, and  tallied 94 yards and a TD on 12 attempts at Howard the following week.
He is the first Hornet selected as MEAC Rookie of the Year since quarterback Vashon Winton in 2005.  
Gillis is also one of 12 Hornets named to the three All-MEAC teams this season, earning second team honors.
Three Hornets were named to the All-MEAC First Team, defensive lineman Isaiah Williams (sr.; Brooklyn, N.Y.), linebacker Brooks Parker (sr.; Laurel, Del.), Romell Harris-Freeman (r.-jr.; Rockville, Md.)  and punter Matt Noll (so.; Robesonia, Pa.).
Williams and Noll earned All-MEAC First Team honors for the second year in a row.
Joining Gillis on the All-MEAC Second Team are Hornet offensive lineman Sam Pearson (sr.; Washington, D.C.) and placekicker Nathan Wilson (fr.; Salem, N.J.).
The 2022 All-MEAC Third Team includes Delaware State's C.J. Henry (QB/r-fr.;  Newark, Del.). Jerrish Halsey (WR/ sr.; Rahway, N.J.), Isaiah Cook (OL/so.; Willingboro, N.J.), Maurio Goings (LB/ r-so.; New Market, Md.) and Jawain Granger (DB/r-sr.; New Castle, Del.).
The MEAC also announced today that North Carolina Central's Trei Oliver is the 2022 Coach of the Year, while NCCU's Robert Mitchell is the league's Offensive Lineman of the Year.
In partnership with the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame, the MEAC will announce its Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year as part of the festivities surrounding the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 6, at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev.