FHSU Athletics
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Fort Hays State defensive lineman Myles Menges was named one of 14 finalists from NCAA Division II for the annual Cliff Harris Award. The award is given to the top small college defensive player in the country at the NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA levels. Starting last year, winners from all three levels are selected for the award instead of only one award given to just one individual combining all three levels.
Menges, the 2024 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, is the fifth Tiger defensive player under head coach Chris Brown's tenure to be named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Award. Menges joins Brock Long (2015), Sie Doe, Jr. (2016), Nathan Shepherd (2017), and Jose Delgado (2018) as Fort Hays State players to be named finalists for this annual award, which began in 2013. Doe, Shepherd, Delgado, and Menges all earned MIAA Defensive Player of the Year honors in the year they were selected as finalists for the Cliff Harris Award. Shepherd was the closest to winning the award, tying as the top vote getter from NCAA Division II in 2017.
Menges was the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. He finished the season with 27 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. His most impressive stat was 11 pass breakups by batting down several passes at the line of scrimmage. He led all defensive linemen in NCAA Division II by a landslide, the only one to reach double figures, and it ranked 16th nationally all behind defensive backs, which dominate the category. Menges finished his FHSU career with 182 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, 2 interceptions, 23 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
The winner of the Cliff Harris Award for NCAA Division II is selected by the Cliff Harris Award committee, which includes Pro Football Hall of Famer, Cliff Harris. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025.
Below are the finalists for the award from NCAA Division II.
Benari Black - Sr, LB, Johnson C. Smith (N.C.)
Peyton Buckley - Sr, DB, Augustana (S.D.)
Micah Cretsinger - Sr, DB, Saginaw Valley State (Mich.)
Jamair Diaz - So, DL, Glenville State (W.Va.)
Larry Elder - Gr, DB, Valdosta State (Ga.)
Marquise Fleming - Gr, DL, Wingate (N.C.)
Ricky Freymond - Jr, DL, Western Colorado
Cam Hollobaugh - Jr, LB, Walsh (Ohio)
Josiah Johnson - Sr, S, Ouachita Baptist (Ark.)
Dion Kuinlan - Gr, DB, Assumption (Mass.)
Myles Menges - Gr, DL, Fort Hays State (Kan.)
Clay Schulte - Sr, LB, University of Indianapolis
Tanner Volk - Sr- S, Central Washington
Lashon Young - Fr, DB, Miles (Ala.)
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 Pro Football Hall of Famer Cliff Harris, the award acknowledges players who exhibit excellence on the field. The winners from each division are honored in the spring with an all expenses paid trip and VIP tour of 'The Star' in Frisco, TX alongside Cliff. There, they get a one of a kind, behind the scenes look at the most valuable and recognizable sports franchise in the world.
The Trophy: One of the most unique awards in all of college football, the 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.
Past Winners
2023: NCAA Division II - Tanner Volk, DB, Central Washington / NCAA Division III - Owen Grover, LB, Wartburg College / NAIA - Tristin Waugh, DL, Grand View University (First year of a winner for all 3 levels)
2022: Caleb Murphy, DL, Ferris State (NCAA Division II)
2021: Sam Roberts, DL, Northwest Missouri State (NCAA Division II)
2019: Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne (NCAA Division II)
2018: Corey Ballentine, DB, Washburn (NCAA Division II)
2017: Michael Joseph, DB, University of Dubuque (NCAA Division III)
2016: Connor Harris, LB, Lindenwood (NCAA Division II)
2015: Marqui Christian, S, Midwestern State (NCAA Division II)
2014: Darius Allen, DL, CSU-Pueblo (NCAA Division II)
2013: Pierre Desir, CB, Lindenwood (NCAA Division II)
Cliff Harris Award Social Media
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