By BRIAN RAMSEY | OBU Sports
Ouachita Baptist University senior safety Josiah Johnson has been selected as the winner of the 2024 Cliff Harris Award for NCAA Division II as the best defensive player in the nation.
The award is named for former Tiger great Cliff Harris, who was a two-time All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference performer at Ouachita and later went on to earn two Super Bowl rings and six Pro Bowl selections for the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. “Captain Crash” was enshrined to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021 as a member of the 2020 induction class.
Johnson finished his collegiate career this past season in a standout fashion, leading one of the best defensive units in the nation. Ouachita finished 10-2 overall, earned a share of the Great American Conference championship, and earned a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs.
The Little Rock native was the heart and soul of the nation’s No. 3 scoring defense with a final total of 72 tackles, six pass deflections, two interceptions, and a blocked punt that was recovered for a touchdown. The Tigers held six of their 11 regular-season opponents to single digits in scoring, including two shutouts.
“I couldn’t be prouder to announce that an OBU Tiger is being honored with this trophy for the first time since the award’s inception,” said Pro Football Hall of Famer Cliff Harris. “From one Tiger safety to another, congratulations Josiah on an incredible season.”
Johnson played a pivotal role in Ouachita’s historic 17-13 victory over defending national champion Harding University, holding their record-setting offense to just 218 rushing yards and 288 total yards—its lowest output since 2022. His leadership propelled the Tigers to their highest-ever ranking, No. 3, in the AFCA Top 25 Poll.
Among Johnson’s accolades for the 2024 season include being named the GAC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-GAC, First Team All-Region, and earning All-America honors from four different organizations.
The Cliff Harris Award recognizes the top small college defensive player in the country in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA. This award highlights exceptional talent and contributions to the game by athletes who have made a significant impact on their teams. The winner of the 2024 Cliff Harris Award for NCAA Division II is selected among a finalist group chosen by the Cliff Harris Award Committee, which includes the Pro Football Hall of Famer.
The Cliff Harris Award is an annual recognition program dedicated to celebrating exceptional defensive players in small college football. Named after NFL Hall of Famer Cliff Harris, the award acknowledges players who exhibit excellence on the field. The winners from each division are honored in the spring with an all-expenses paid trip and VIP tour of ‘The Star’ in Frisco, TX alongside Cliff. There, they get a one of a kind, behind the scenes look at the most valuable and recognizable sports franchise in the world.
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.