LITTLE ROCK, Ark. - Saturday, AFCA Second Team All-American Gary Lewis of Henderson State football was announced as a finalist for the 2023 Cliff Harris Award for NCAA Division II.

Lewis, after being tabbed a 2023 All-GAC First Team selection, is one of just six sophomores among the 36 finalists and is one of four defensive players from the Great American Conference.

The Cliff Harris Award, named after NFL Hall of Famer Cliff Harris, is an annual recognition program dedicated to celebrating exceptional defensive players in small college football. The award acknowledges players who exhibit excellence on and off the field.

Lewis, a Fordyce, Arkansas prospect, debuted on the All-America list this fall, becoming the first Reddie defensive player to be named All-American by any publication since 2019. Lewis led the HSU defensive front with eight tackles-for-loss while finishing in a tie for the team-lead with seven and a half sacks, which is fourth most in program history for a single season.

The winner of the Division II Cliff Harris Award will be announced Thursday, Dec. 28th at 12 p.m. CT.