December 16, 2014

Cliff Harris finalists

LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas - The Little Rock Touchdown Club and Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP recently named the finalists for the second annual 2014 CLIFF HARRIS AWARD. The award is presented to the nation’s top small college defensive player representing more than 5,000 defensive players from almost 500 NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA colleges and universities. One of just 18 Division III players to be named a finalist,  junior Ryan Aelker (Holgate/New Bavaria) is the first Bluffton University football player to have this honor bestowed on him. His selection as a finalist comes on the heels of a bevy of post-season honors awarded to Aelker following his record-setting 2014 season. He was named the HCAC Defensive Player of the Year before earning Second Team All-North Region status by D3Football. In addition, Aelker was selected Second Team All-America by USA Football.

Aelker was unblockable from his defensive end position, leading NCAA Division III with a Bluffton record 13 sacks this season. His 22 tackles for loss placed him third in the nation and it also toppled Justin Crosier's school record of 19 TFL's set in 2010. Aelker's four forced fumbles tied him for fifth in the nation, just one off the leaders and it also puts him second behind Matt Chiles on Bluffton's all-time list. In addition, Aelker established a new school mark with six quarterback  hurries this season. Aelker finished the year with 54 tackles (38 solos), 22 TFL's for 109 yards (1st all-time), 13 sacks for 83 yards (1st all-time), six breakups, an interception and two fumble recoveries. He led the HCAC in TFL's, sacks, forced fumbles and was third in fumble recoveries                                                

With one season to play, Aelker ranks 2nd all-time with 19.5 career sacks and 124 yards lost on those stops. He is 4th all-time with 36 TFL's and 2nd all-time with 176 yards on tackles for losses. Aelker has 105 career tackles, five forced fumbles, nine hurries and seven breakups following his junior season. He was a Second Team All-HCAC selection as a sophomore when he racked up 13.5 TFL's and six sacks.

CLIFF HARRIS - "There are numerous outstanding small college defensive players around the country and I’m glad we get to acknowledge them today as finalists for the 2014 Cliff Harris Award”

The finalist list includes 38 Division II players, 18 Division III players and 14 players from NAIA. An overall winner will be announced on December 24 and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet in February 2015. The winner will receive the $3,000 Cliff Harris Award trophy presented by Cliff Harris along with featured speaker NFL Hall of Fame member and former Dallas Cowboy Michael Irvin. In addition to the overall winner, the top vote getters from each division will also be announced. A prestigious group of former college and pro football greats serve on the Cliff Harris Award Committee.

The inaugural winner of the award was Lindenwood University cornerback Pierre Desir who was selected in the 4th round of the NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. Ten percent of the 2013 Cliff Harris Award finalists made NFL rosters this season.

-BEAVERS-