Holland Reporter

Grand Valley State University's senior defensive end, Christian McCarroll, has been nominated for the 2023 Cliff Harris Award. This award recognizes the top small college Defensive Player of the Year. McCarroll played a significant role in Grand Valley State's defense, which was one of the leading units in Division II football throughout the 2023 season.

McCarroll led all GLIAC defensive linemen with 67 tackles, including 21 solo and 46 assisted. He also topped the GLIAC in tackles for loss with 15.0 and ranked second in quarterback sacks with 8.0. Despite missing playtime in parts of several games, he recorded a tackle for loss in nine games and a quarterback sack in seven games. His efforts contributed to a defense that led the nation with 51 quarterback sacks and ranked seventh in tackles for loss with 95.

The Lakers' defense was notable for its strong performance across various metrics, ranking fourth in rushing defense, tenth in scoring defense, and sixteenth in total defense nationally. Over his career at Grand Valley State, McCarroll accumulated impressive statistics: 151 career tackles, 15 quarterback sacks, and 31.5 tackles for loss.

Grand Valley State concluded their season with an overall record of 11-2. They secured their second consecutive GLIAC Championship and reached the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. The team faced eight nationally ranked opponents during the season and played five games against teams that finished among the top six in final rankings.