Player News - Ch'aim Smith a Cliff Harris Award Finalist

Graduate student defensive end Ch'aim Smith 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.

Ch'aim Smith (Photo Ron Hockman)

Already this year, Smith has been named first team All-PSAC East and first team AFCA All-American. He finished the season with 61 total tackles including 20.5 tackles for loss (ninth in the country), three pass breakups, a forced fumble and seven quarterback hurries.

The finalists list consists of 35 players from Division II, 36 from Division III and 24 from NAIA. The overall winner will be announced on December 27 with the trophy being presented to the recipient at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet on January 9, 2020.

Four Golden Rams have been finalists in recent years: linebacker Tyler Morrissey in 2018 and 2017, defensive end Andrew Cohen in 2015, cornerback Al-Hajj Shabazz in 2014, and linebacker Ronell Williams in 2013.

Cliff Harris Award - 2019 Cliff Harris Award finalists announced

West Chester Athletic Site - Ch’aim Smith Named a Finalist for Cliff Harris Award