FRISCO, Texas --- The prestigious Cliff Harris Award, presented by the Little Rock Touchdown Club and generously sponsored by Wright Lindsey Jennings, was officially given to three exceptional young athletes in a historic celebration at 'The Star' in Frisco, Texas.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Cliff Harris, alongside Stephen Jones, COO of the Dallas Cowboys, and David Bazzel, President of the Little Rock Touchdown Club, honored each of the deserving winners from NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA with their own trophy.

"Coming from a small school, for me to go and play for the Dallas Cowboys and go into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, says that these guys have the same opportunity," expressed Harris. "Showing them around The Star in Frisco and telling them stories of our Super Bowl runs in Dallas, I hope it showed them if I can do it, they can do it."

Three winners were selected across different divisions of college football, highlighting excellence at each level. "Could not have scripted a more spectacular afternoon here at The Star," said Bazzel. "To have these three winners here with their families, coaches, and friends to celebrate their incredible seasons was outstanding. It was also great to have my old teammate Stephen Jones join us and meet with the winners. We could not have this opportunity without our incredible sponsor, Wright Lindsey Jennings. Judy Henry's steadfast support of this award has been integral to its growth and success. We also want to give a special thanks to Greg Hatcher as he has continued to find ways to elevate everything we do at the Little Rock Touchdown Club."

NCAA Division II winner Josiah Johnson, a standout safety from Ouachita Baptist University, is a first-team AFCA All-American. Johnson was the heart and soul of the nation's No. 3 scoring defense, leading his team with 72 tackles (44 solo), 6 pass breakups, 2 interceptions, and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. The Tigers held six of their 11 regular-season opponents to single digits, including two shutouts, and allowed the fewest touchdowns in Division II with only 16.

"It means a lot from one Tiger to another. It's a tradition and a standard that was set at Ouachita, we call it 'Cliff Harris every day' so we honor his name a lot and to be able to have this award with his name means a lot," Johnson said.

Division III winner Matt Jung from Bethel University 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. Jung has since transferred to play for the Wisconsin Badgers.

"To walk in and shake a guy's hand who is wearing a gold jacket and being in the Hall of Fame, is not something you get to do every day or maybe ever in your lifetime. To my name on a trophy that is his trophy, it's just unreal," Jung said.

NAIA winner Tai Lologo from Keiser (FL) anchored the defensive line for a unit that only gave up 18.2 points per game. He was named Sun Conference Defensive Player of The Year and finished with 33 total tackles, one sack and 2 fumble recoveries.

"It's very special, you know. Coming from NAIA, you wouldn't think you'd get this type of recognition just being from a small school, but that's exactly what this award is about," Lologo said.

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 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 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.