Player News - Jackson Taylor a Cliff Harris Award Finalist

Junior linebacker Jackson Taylor 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.

Taylor was named second team All-American by both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Associated Press (AP) and first team All-Super Region 1 by the Division 2 Conference Commissioner's Association. Taylor is a three-time All-PSAC East linebacker and two-time PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year.

Jackson Taylor (Photo Gina Chapman)

Among the 68 finalists, 26 are from Division II, 20 are from Division III and 22 are from NAIA schools. The Cliff Harris Award winner being announced on December 30. The trophy will be presented to the recipient at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet on January 13, 2023.

Cliff Harris Award - Little Rock Touchdown Club Announces 2022 Cliff Harris Award Finalists

West Chester Athletic Site - Jackson Taylor Named Finalist for Cliff Harris Award

Player News - Jackson Taylor a Cliff Harris Award Nominee

Junior linebacker Jackson Taylor has been named a nominee 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.

Taylor was named second team All-American by both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Associated Press (AP) and first team All-Super Region 1 by the Division 2 Conference Commissioner's Association. Taylor is a three-time All-PSAC East linebacker and two-time PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year.

Jackson Taylor (Photo Gina Chapman)

Among the 172 nominees, 63 are from Division II, 72 are from Division III and 37 are from NAIA schools. Finalists will be announced soon, with the Cliff Harris Award winner being announced on December 30. The trophy will be presented to the recipient at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet on January 13, 2023.

Cliff Harris Award - Little Rock Touchdown Club Announces 2022 Cliff Harris Award Nominees

Player News - Jackson Taylor - More Awards, More Offers

Junior linebacker Jackson Taylor has been named second team All-American by both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Associated Press (AP). Earlier this month, he was named to the Division 2 Conference Commissioner's Association All-Super Region 1 first team. Taylor is a three-time All-PSAC East linebacker and two-time PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year.

Jackson Taylor (Photo Gina Chapman)

In related news, Taylor, who has entered the NCAA transfer portal, has reported that he has received offers for regional FCS schools Albany and Delaware.

West Chester Athletic Site - Jackson Taylor Named Second Team AFCA All-America

West Chester Athletic Site - Jackson Taylor Brings Home Another All-America Citation

AFCA - The 2022 AFCA DII Coaches' All-America Teams

AP News - Mines QB Matocha, Ferris DE Murphy lead D-II All-Americans

Player News - Oscar Uduma Enters Transfer Portal

Sophomore linebacker Oscar Uduma has reported that he has entered the transfer portal. He joins running back Ja'Den McKenzie and linebacker Jackson Taylor, who entered in late November, and running back Maurice Mazzccua who entered earlier that month.

Uduma started the season at linebacker, then spent some time at safety before moving back to linebacker for the second half of the year. He finished the season fifth on the team in tackles with 43 including 6.0 tackles for loss. Uduma notched two sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception this past season. His biggest highlight of his freshman campaign was an interception at Shepherd to thwart a Ram scoring opportunity.

Meanwhile, McKenzie has reportedly received offers Eastern Illinois, Norfolk State while Taylor has reportedly received interest from Eastern Illinois, Norfolk State, Tennessee Martin, and Tennessee State. All are members of the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision.

Thank you to my coaches and the rest of the West Chester football program. I have learned so much about myself during my time here. After much consideration I have decided to enter the ncaa transfer portal with 2 years of eligibility left. I look forward to new opportunities. pic.twitter.com/6dU4uuOvP5

— Oscar Uduma (@OscarUdumaa) December 7, 2022

Player News - More Academic Honors for Liggitt, Methlie, Miller

Senior defensive end Zach Liggitt, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Patrick Methlie, and redshirt freshman tight end Thatcher Miller have been named to the Philly SIDA Academic All-Area Squad. Two weeks ago, the three were named to the 2022 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District 2® Football Team for Division II.

Liggit, a first team All-PSAC East selection, finished the season with 24 total tackles, three forced fumbles and two pass breakups. His eight sacks on the season is among the top five in the PSAC. After redshirting last season, Methlie started all ten games in which he played, leading the Golden Rams to the third best rushing attack in the conference. Miller had 11 catches for 262 yards and four touchdowns in his first collegiate season of play.

The team is voted upon by the sports information offices of 30 institutions from the Philadelphia metropolitan area. In order for a student-athlete to be eligible for Academic All-Area honors, he must be in at least his second year at the school and carry a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 or better.

West Chester Athletic Site - Three Golden Rams Named to Philly SIDA Academic All-Area Squad

Ursinus College - 2022 PhillySIDA Academic All-Area Football Team

Player News - Jackson Taylor Repeats as All-Region Selection

Junior linebacker Jackson Taylor has been named to the Division 2 Conference Commissioner's Association All-Super Region 1 first team. Taylor, the two-time PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year, was a second team All-Super Region 1 selection a year ago.

Jackson Taylor (Photo Gina Chapman)

The Division II Conference Commissioners Association (CCA) encourages and promotes Division II athletics and high standards of sportsmanship as important elements of higher education. The CCA is a key communications link among the conferences as they discuss views, policies and regulations that impact Division II intercollegiate athletics and works closely with the NCAA as a communications channel to NCAA Division II member colleges and universities.

West Chester Athletic Site - Jackson Taylor Named First Team All-Super Region 1

2022 D2CCA All-Super Region 1 Football Teams