Little Rock, Ark.----The finalists have been announced for the ninth annual Cliff Harris Award, and the Wingate University Bulldogs are one of just two teams in NCAA Division II to have a pair of finalists for the prestigious honor. Defensive end DJ Horne along with cornerback Tre Morrison are two of the 26 finalists from NCAA Division II for the prestigious honor. The awards is presented to the nation's top small-college defensive player, coming from a field of over 5,000 players and 500 schools from Division II, Division III and NAIA.

The duo of Horne and Morrison helped lead the Bulldogs to a program-record 11 wins and the first trip to the national quarterfinals in program history. Wingate led the nation in tackles for loss and third down defense, ranking second in total defense and third in scoring defense and red zone defense. The 'Dogs set program records for sacks, tackles for loss and points allowed.

Horne adds this recognition to an impressive list of 2022 accolades. He was named the SAC Piedmont Division Defensive Player of the Year, while also being named the NCAA Southeast Region Defensive Player of the Year by the D2CCA. Horne earned second team All-American honors from the Associated Press and the D2CCA, earning first team All-SAC and All-Region accolades. Horne piled up 50 tackles on the year with 20 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, adding 13 QB hurries and a forced fumble. Horne ranked in the top 15 in the nation in total sacks and tackles for loss.

Morrison has also hauled in major honors after an impressive 2022 season. He earned first team All-American accolades from the Associated Press, while picking up second team All-American recognition from the D2CCA and AFCA. Morrison was also a first team All-SAC and All-Region honoree. He piled up 21 pass break-ups and five interceptions on the season, leading the nation in passes defended. Morrison had seven more pass break-ups than any player in the nation, while ranking 10th nationally in interceptions. He had at least one break-up or interception in every game in 2022.

An overall winner of the 2022 Cliff Harris Award will be announced Dec. 30 and will be honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club's annual awards banquet on Jan. 13 with featured speaker Joe Theismann. The winner will receive the $3,000 Cliff Harris Award trophy presented by Cliff Harris. In addition to the overall winner, the top vote getters in each division will be announced. For the full story of Cliff Harris, go to www.CliffHarrisAward.com.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a laboratory of difference-making that serves more than 3,400 students in North Carolina. Wingate offers 38 undergraduate majors as well as seven master's and four doctoral degrees. The University is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences; the Levine College of Health Sciences; the Byrum School of Business; the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. 

Wingate is a leader in healthcare education, and nearly one in five Wingate undergraduate students is preparing to be a pharmacist, physician assistant, physical therapist, occupational therapist or nurse. Student-athletes on Wingate's 25 teams compete in NCAA Division II and have brought home the SAC Echols Athletic Excellence Award for 14 years straight. The University's motto is "Faith, Knowledge, Service." View current news and videos at www.wingate.edu.