The Manheim Touchdown Club has announced that Christian McCarroll, a senior defensive end from Grand Valley State University (GVSU), is among the eight finalists for the 2023 Gene Upshaw Award. This recognition comes as McCarroll prepares to lead his team into the NCAA Super Region 3 Championship game against Harding on December 2.
McCarroll's performance this season has been notable. He leads all Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) defensive linemen with 55 tackles, comprising 16 solo and 39 assisted tackles. Additionally, he tops the GLIAC in tackles for loss with a total of 15.0 and ranks second in quarterback sacks with 8.0. Despite missing playing time in several games, McCarroll managed to record a tackle for loss in nine games and a quarterback sack in seven games.
His contributions have been significant to GVSU's defense, which currently leads the nation in quarterback sacks with a total of 51 and ranks seventh nationally in tackles for loss with 93. The Lakers' defense also stands out by ranking second nationally in rushing defense, allowing an average of just 51.6 yards per game on the ground and limiting opponents to under 100 rushing yards in nine out of eleven games played this season.
Christian McCarroll has also been recognized as the GLIAC Defensive Lineman of the Year for two consecutive years.
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