Little Rock, AK --- Senior Bryan Narcisse (Medway, MA) has been selected as a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award, which is presented to the best small college football defensive player in the nation. Narcisse is one of five nominees from New England and one of 18 who were tabbed from a Division III institution.

The Second Annual Cliff Harris Award is bestowed to the best college defensive player representing more than 5,000 defensive players from almost 500 NCAA Division II and Division III and NAIA colleges and Universities. The finalist list, which originally featured 106 total nominees - including 34 from around Division III - was trimmed down to 70.

An overall winner will be announced on December 24 and will be recognized at the Little Rock Touchdown Club's annual awards banquet in February 2015. The winner will receive the $3,000 Cliff Harris Award Trophy presented by Cliff Harris along with featured speaker, NFL Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboys standout Michael Irwin.

"There are numerous outstanding small college defensive players from around the country and I'm glad we get to acknowledge them today as finalists for the 2014 Cliff Harris Award," said Cliff Harris.

In addition, the top vote getter from each division will be announced.

The group from New England also included junior Tyler Condit (Caldwell, NJ) of New Haven, senior Derrick Mann (Sharon, MA) of Assumption, senior Max Nacewicz (Sandy Hook, CT) of Springfield and graduate student Jack Bussani (Pleasanton, CA) of Wesleyan (CT).

Narcisse had a tremendous season for the Blue and Gold as he led New England in sacks (12.5) and tackles for a loss (21.0) as he ranked fourth and ninth in the NCAA Division III in both categories, respectively.

He helped anchor a pass rush unit that led the region in sacks (41) and tackles for a loss (92) while also being seventh in the nation in forced turnovers (15 fumble recoveries – 18 interceptions).

With 83 tackles (56 solo) to his credit on the campaign, Narcisse was second at his position in New England in solo stops per game (5.6) and he added one interception, two break-ups and one forced fumble this past year.

Narcisse is also active in the campus community being members of both the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and in the Worcester State Student-Athlete Mentor program. This past summer, he was among a group of football players that helped bring a summer camp program to a local church organization and he helped his squad organize the first-ever "Lady Lancer" Football Classic.

Moreover, Narcisse has been tireless in the overall efforts of SAAC to get more students and interest around athletics events, often assisting with the organization of halftime contests for non-football games.

With 33 sacks in 41 games, Narcisse ended his career second on both WSU's all-time sack list, just behind former All-American Russ Watson's total of 39, and he is second on the active NCAA Division III list.

2014 Cliff Harris Award Finalists

USA Today Article