Player News - Shabazz Nominated For Cliff Harris Award

Senior cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz has been named a candidate for the Cliff Harris Award which is presented to the small college defensive player of the year. The award was created last year by the Little Rock Touchdown Club and is presented to the top defensive player among NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA schools as chosen by head coaches and a committee of college and professional football greats.

Shabazz currently has 35 total tackles including 24 solo stops. His four interceptions, which he returned for 53 yards, coupled with his 11 pass breakups gives him 15 passes defended. Shabazz also blocked a punt and recovered it for a touchdown at New Haven and he also returned an interception for a touchdown at Kutztown. He was named PSAC East Co-Defensive Player of the Week for his four tackle, one interception and blocked punt effort at New Haven. He was named first team All-PSAC East, Preseason Beyond Sports Network All-PSAC, Preseason third team Beyond Sports Network All-American, Preseason first team USA Football Network All-American, and Preseason first team D2football.com All-American.

Shabazz scored two touchdowns this season (Photo Bert Garbutt)

Among the 106 nominees, 51 are from Division II, 35 are from Division III and 20 are from NAIA schools. Finalists will be chosen from each division in two weeks and the overall winner will be announced on December 24. The trophy will be presented to the recipient at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet in February 2015 featuring guest speaker Lou Holtz.

The candidates from the PSAC are:

• DB George Christas - Lock Haven
  
• LB Isaiah Fleming - Cheyney
  
• DE Julian Howsare - Clarion
  
• FS Colin Kimball - Mercyhurst
  
• DE Marcus Martin - Slippery Rock
  
• CB Al-Hajj Shabazz - West Chester
  
• LB Justin Shirk - Bloomsburg
  
• DT Bryan Thomson - East Stroudsburg
  

Cliff Harris Award - 2014 Cliff Harris Award Nominees Announced