Player News - Tyler Morrissey a Cliff Harris Award Finalist

Senior linebacker Tyler Morrissey has been named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award which is presented to the small college defensive player of the year. The award was created 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.

Tyler Morrissey (Photo Ron Hockman)

Already this year, Morrissey has been named as an All-American by the AFCA, AP and D2CCA. As both a junior and senior, he was named first team All-PSAC East, All-ECAC, first team Conference Commissioner's Association All-Super Region 1 and PSAC East and ECAC Defensive Player of the Year. He finished 2018 with 86 total tackles which was best for the Golden Rams. He also tallied four quarterback hurries, 8.5 sacks, a pass breakup, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

The finalists list consists of 31 players from Division II, 35 from Division III and 15 from NAIA. The overall winner will be announced on December 24 with the trophy being presented to the recipient at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet in February 2019.

Three Golden Rams have been finalists in recent years: defensive end Andrew Cohen in 2015, cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz in 2014, and linebacker Ronell Williams in 2013.

Cliff Harris Award - 2018 Cliff Harris finalists for best defensive player in DII football announced