Northwest Missouri State University defensive lineman Clayton Power has been named a finalist for the 2025 Cliff Harris Award as announced by the Little Rock Touchdown Club.

The award is presented annually to the nation's top small college defensive player representing more than 5,000 defensive players from almost 500 NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA colleges and universities.

Power is one of 18 finalists selected from NCAA Division II. The winner will be announced Monday, Jan. 19. Former Bearcat Sam Roberts captured the 2021 Cliff Harris Award.

Clayton Power's 2025 Accolades:
First-Team AFCA All-America choice on the defensive line ... second-team All-America selection from D2Football.com, D2CCA, Associated Press and Don Hansen ... first-team all-MIAA ... first-team D2CCA Super Region 4 honoree ... MIAA Scholar-Athlete ... MIAA Academic Honor Roll ... ranked second in the MIAA in quarterback sacks (7.5) ... tied for No. 7 in the MIAA in tackles-for-loss (10.0) ... started all 12 games and registered 40 total tackles ... tied for the team lead in interceptions (2) ... Bearcat defensive unit led the MIAA in scoring defense (18.0 ppg), total defense (283.9 yards/game), passing defense (159.3 yards/game), defensive passing efficiency (102.6), fewest first downs allowed (188 - 15.7/game) and third-down conversions (29.6%) ... Season-high 7 tackles against Minnesota State and Emporia State… Recorded 1 sack and forced a fumble against Central Oklahoma… Tallied 2 tackles for loss and 2 sacks against Missouri Western… Intercepted a pass in games against Missouri Southern and Nebraska-Kearney… Contributed 1 sack and 1 pass breakup in the game against Washburn.

The award is named in honor of Cliff Harris, a former Ouachita Baptist University standout who went on to play in five Super Bowls and six Pro Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys.

2025 Cliff Harris Award – Division II Finalists
Landon Boss, LB, Emporia State
Ja'Kobe Clinton, LB, West Florida
Domonique Davis II, LB, Central State
Isi Etute, DE, UNC-Pembroke
Tristan Exline, LB, UT Permian Basin
Kalen Frazier, DB, Indiana (Pa.)
Ricky Freymond, DE, Western Colorado
Kenyon Garner, DE, Livingstone
Clark Griffin, LB, Harding
Brandon Hile, LB, Kutztown
Tyler King, DL, Central Washington
Logan O'Brien, LB, Chadron State
Justin Payoute, DB, Ferris State
Clayton Power, DL, Northwest Missouri State
Ean Rhea, DL, Emory & Henry
Michael Shimek, DE, Ashland
Xavier Walton, S, Angelo State
Tindell Frick, DL, Assumption