LITTLE ROCK, Ark. -- Senior defensive end Kyle Smith (Sterling, Va./Dominion) of the Shepherd University football team has been named as a nominee for the Cliff Harris Award, as announced by the Little Rock Touchdown Club on Monday. The Cliff Harris Award is presented to the nation's top small college defensive player from Division II, Division III, and the NAIA. 

Smith led the Rams with 21.5 tackles-for-loss (-110 yards) and 13.0 sacks (-97 yards). His 21.5 tackles-for-loss and 13 sacks were the most in the PSAC. Smith recorded 60 tackles (33 solos). He added two pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a blocked kick, and an interception. Smith was recently named to the 2022 Division II AP All-America Team. 

Finalists for the award will be released in a few days and the Cliff Harris Award Winner will be announced on December 30, 2022, and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club's annual awards banquet on January 13, 2023.