VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State graduate defensive back Larry Elder is one of fourteen finalists for the 2024 Cliff Harris Award for NCAA Division II.
 
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 NCAA Division II finalists are, in alphabetical order: Benari Black - Sr, LB, Johnson C. Smith University (NC), Peyton Buckley- Sr, DB, Augustana University (SD), Micah Cretsinger- Sr, DB, Saginaw Valley State (MI), Jamair Diaz- So, DL, Glenville State College (WV), Larry Elder- Gr, DB, Valdosta State University (GA), Marquise Fleming- Gr, DL, Wingate University (NC), Ricky Freymond- Jr, DL, Western Colorado University, Cam Hollobaugh- Jr, LB, Walsh University (Ohio), Josiah Johnson- Sr, S, Ouachita Baptist University (AR), Dion Kuinlan- Gr, DB, Assumption University (MA), Myles Menges- Gr, DL, Fort Hays State University (KS), Clay Schulte- Sr, LB, University of Indianapolis, Tanner Volk- Sr- S, Central Washington University, Lashon Young- Fr, DB, Miles College (AL).
 
The winner of the 2024 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 7^th, 2025.
 
Elder, a native of Richmond, Va., earned D2Football.com Elite 100 Second Team honors earlier this week and earned First Team AFCA All-America honors along with second team D2CCA All-America accolades.  Elder was named GSC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.  He finished his lone season as a Blazer leading the team with 107 total tackles and 59 solo stops for a 4.1 average per game for fourth in the GSC.  Elder averaged 7.5 tackles per game for second in the GSC.  He had a team-high 11 tackles for loss for 52 yards and finished with 3.5 sacks for 26 yards.  He had one interception with three pass breakups, one hurry, one fumble recovery and forced a team-high four fumbles for 15^th nationally in forced fumbles per game (0.29). 
 
He helped lead the Blazers to a 13-1 record overall, the program's eleventh Gulf South Conference title in 2024 and the seventh trip to the NCAA Division II national championship game.   Elder and the Blazer "D" was 17^th nationally in total defense allowing just 269.5 yards per game, while the team was eighth nationally in passing defense, allowing 137.4 yards per contest.  On the ground, VSU allowed 132.1 yards per game for third in the GSC.  VSU forced 22 turnovers for 22^nd nationally, while the team had a 1.21 turnover margin for eighth nationally and turned the ball over just five times this season to lead the nation. 
 
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 $3,000 Cliff Harris Award trophy stands almost two-foot 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.