LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - The Cliff Harris Award and Little Rock Touchdown Club, in partnership with the NAIA League Office, have announced University of Saint Francis (Ind.) defensive lineman Marquise Cross as a finalist for the 2024 Cliff Harris Award for the NAIA Division. 

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 NAIA is selected by the NAIA Selection Committee from a field of 13 finalists. This year's list includes 8 Linebackers, 4 Defensive linemen, and one defensive back. The NAIA finalists are:

• Quincy Robinson – DL – Bluefield (Va.) – Appalachian Conference
• Hunter Peck – DL – Carroll (Mont.) – Frontier Conference
• Parker Fryar – LB- Northwestern (Iowa) – GPAC
• John Argo – LB – Grand View (Iowa) – Heart North Conference
• Zac Kramer – LB – Baker (Kan.) – Heart South Conference
• AJ Hemphill – LB – Ottawa (Kan.) – KCAC Bissell
• Bradley Myers – LB – Evangel (Mo.) – KCAC Kessinger
• Chad Holleran – LB – Georgetown's (Ky.) – Mid-South Conference
• Clayton Mosher – LB – Indiana Wesleyan – Mid-States Mideast Conference
• Marquise Cross  – DL – Saint Francis (Ind.) – Mid-States Midwest Conference
• Jayden Heartwell – DB – Dickinson State (N.D.) – North Star Conference
• Isiah Cotton – LB – Ottawa University Arizona – Sooner Conference
• Tai Lologo – DL – Keiser (Fla.) – Sun Conference

This season, Cross was honored as a member of the 2024 AFCA NAIA All-American First Team and received the 2024 Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Midwest League Defensive Player of the Year award. The Indianapolis native started all 12 games for the Cougars and played a vital role in a defensive unit that ranked first in the NAIA with 41 sacks during the regular season. As a senior, Cross recorded a total of 44 tackles, including 27 solo tackles, and led the Cougars with 7.5 sacks, resulting in a cumulative loss of 53 yards for opposing teams.

The winner of the 2024 Cliff Harris Award will be announced during the NAIA National Championship game on Saturday, December 21. 

Cougar fans can stay updated on all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com.