NOHO RUNNING BACK TOP-PLAYER NOMINEE.

Byline: - Matthew Kredell

North Hollywood running back Marlon Lucky was named Wednesday as one of 14 nominees for Ball Park National Player of the Year.

Lucky, who recently gave an oral commitment to Nebraska, has rushed for 1,365 yards and scored 37 touchdowns this season. He was a Daily News first-team selection as a junior.

The trophy will be presented to the winner Jan. 14 at the U.S. Army All-American Awards dinner in San Antonio. Last year's winner was running back Adrian Peterson, now a Heisman Trophy candidate at Oklahoma.

Others nominees are: Toney Baker, Ragsdale (High Point, N.C.); Jake Christensen, Lockport Township (Lockport, Ill.); DeMarcus Granger, Justin F. Kimball (Dallas); Justin King, Gateway (Monroeville, Pa.); Rashard Mendenhall, Niles West (Skokie, Ill.); Greg Paulus, Christian Brothers Academy (Manlius, N.Y.); Ryan Perrilloux, East St. John (Reserve, La.); Kenneth Phillips, Carol City (Miami); Fred Rouse, Lincoln (Tallahassee, Fla.); Mark Sanchez, Mission Viejo; Jonathan Stewart, Timberline (Lacey, Wash.); Jerrell Wilkerson, Clark (San Antonio); Derrick Williams, Eleanor Roosevelt (Upper Marlboro, Md.).

Portis' decision on hold: Josh Portis, the standout quarterback at Taft of Woodland Hills, is reconsidering his commitment to Utah because of the uncertainty surrounding coach Urban Meyer. Meyer is a hot coaching commodity, being mentioned for high-profile jobs, including Florida.

Portis has thrown for 1,942 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also is a threat with his legs, running for 648 yards and 10 scores. He has scholarship offers from LSU, Kansas State, Washington, Oregon and Arizona State. Portis said he chose Utah because of Meyer and might follow the coach to another school.