Little Rock, AR – January 7, 2025 – The Cliff Harris Award and Little Rock Touchdown Club, in partnership with D3football.com, proudly announces Matt Jung from Bethel University as the winner for the 2024 Cliff Harris Award for NCAA Division III.
As a sophomore, Jung led the nation with 9 interceptions, while leading the Royals with 109 tackles that included 10.5 for loss and two sacks. He also forced two fumbles. He was named AFCA First Team All American and Defensive Player of the year by the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), a first for Bethel University. The safety from Neenah, Wisconsin was named the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year and a semi-finalist for the Gagliardi Trophy, which is awarded to the most valuable player in NCAA Division III Football.
“Matt Jung is an exceptional talent that has continued to improve each year,” said Pro Football Hall Famer Cliff Harris. “To be able to put up those outstanding numbers as just a sophomore shows how bright Matt’s future is.”
Jung’s future will include an opportunity to play football back in his home state at The University of Wisconsin after recently announcing his intent to transfer.
The Cliff Harris Award recognizes the top small college defensive player in the country in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA. This award highlights exceptional talent and contributions to the game by athletes who have made a significant impact on their teams.
The winner of the 2024 Cliff Harris Award for NCAA Division III was selected by the staff at
D3football.com, the nation’s leading authority on Division III football. The writers and staff at D3football.com select the winner from the 6 Defensive Player of the Year honorees from all 6 regions.
For media inquiries, interviews, or additional information, please contact: David Bazzel – President, Little Rock Touchdown Club- info@LRTouchdown.com – www.lrtouchdown.com
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About the Cliff Harris Award: The Cliff Harris Award is an annual recognition program dedicated to celebrating exceptional defensive players in small college football. Named after NFL Hall of Famer Cliff Harris, the award acknowledges players who exhibit excellence on and off the field.
The Trophy: One of the most unique awards in all of college football, the $3,000 Cliff Harris Award trophy stands almost two feet tall and weighs 35 pounds. A rare two-figurine sports action bronze sculpture, the Cliff Harris Award represents an actual tackle by NFL Hall of Fame and Dallas Cowboy great Cliff Harris, against Harold Jackson of the Los Angeles Rams. What makes this trophy truly exceptional is its intricate design, showcasing extreme angles and attachment points that secure the two bronze players to a three-tier walnut wood base, setting it apart from any other trophy in all levels of college football. Crafted from fourteen distinct bronze pieces, its assembly process ranks among the most intricate and complex in sports awards. Every winner from DII, DIII and NAIA will receive their own Cliff Harris Award trophy.
Sculpted by Raymond Gibby and designed by David Bazzel, this trophy embodies excellence in both craftsmanship and football achievement.
Over the last decade, many of the finalists and winners have continued their outstanding football careers in the National Football League.
- Pierre Desir (Lindenwood, winner ’13)
- Malcom Butler (West Alabama, finalist ’13)
- Marqui Christian (Midwestern State, winner ’15)
- Matthew Judon (Grand Valley State, finalist ’15)
- Michael Joeseph (Dubuque, winner ’17)
- Corey Ballentine (Washburn, winner ’18)
- Kyle Duggar (Lenoir-Rhyne, winner ’19)
- Sam Roberts (Northwest Missouri State, winner ’21)
- Caleb Murphy (Ferris State, winner ’22)
For more information about the Cliff Harris Award and to stay updated on the latest news and developments, please visit https://www.cliffharrisaward.com/.
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