WALTHAM, Mass. – Bentley University defensive end Cedie Dashiell II (Buena Park, Calif./Buena Park HS), the Defensive Player of the Year in the Northeast-10 Conference, has been named as a finalist for the ninth annual Cliff Harris Award. There are a total of 67 finalists, representing Division II, Division III and NAIA.

The award is presented annually by the Little Rock Touchdown Club to the nation's top small college defensive player. The overall winner will be announced on December 30 and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown's Club's annual awards banquet on January 13. In addition to the overall winner, the top vote getters from each division will also be announced.

Dashiell II had a standout career for the Falcons with his list of accomplishments including three-time first-team All-Northeast-10 Conference, two-time D2CCA All-Super Region 1 for the second consecutive year and three-time New England Football Writers Division II-III All-England. In 2021, he was the NE10 Defensive Lineman of the Year.

The two-time team captain was major reason why Bentley led Division II in scoring defense and red zone defense, and was also second in fewest first downs allowed, fourth in total defense, fifth in passing yards allowed, fifth in fourth down conversion defense, sixth in pass efficiency defense, seventh in third down conversion defense and 12th in sacks.

Dashiell II finished the 2022 season with 27 tackles, 12.5 TFL (-105 yards), 10.5 sacks (-101 yards), four forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. The six-foot, 235-pounder ranked fourth in Division II in forced fumbles and ninth in sacks per game.

Career totals for Dashiell II included 154 tackles, 43 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks, six passes defended, 11 forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one blocked kick in 41 games. Among Division II players who played during the 2022 season, he is first in career forced fumbles, third in career sacks, third in sack yards, fourth in TFL yards and fifth in sacks per game.

For the story of Cliff Harris, go to www.CliffHarrisAward.com and read about his amazing journey from an overlooked high school player from tiny Des Arc, Arkansas, and one scholarship offer to then-NAIA Ouachita Baptist University to five Super Bowls, six Pro Bowls for the Dallas Cowboys and induction into the NFL Hall of Fame this past summer.