Shimek Announced As Finalist For 2025 Cliff Harris Award

Ashland University senior defensive end Michael Shimek was revealed as one of the finalists for the 2025 Cliff Harris Award on Friday (Jan. 16).
 
Shimek turned in one of the top defensive seasons in Ashland football history this past fall, finishing the season with an NCAA Division II-leading 17½ sacks, 18½ tackles for loss, 60 total tackles (32 solo), three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks.
 
His sack total is fourth-best in program history, trailing only three seasons by College Football Hall of Famer Bill Royce (20½ in 1993, 20 in 1992 and 18½ in 1991), and his tackles for loss number is second in AU football annals to just James Prater Jr.'s 23½ in 2017.
 
This continues a postseason of impressive honors for Shimek, which also include:

• D2Football.com Elite 100 Team first team
• Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America Team
• Division II Conference Commissioner's Association (D2CCA) Ron Lenz national Defensive Player of the Year
• First-team D2CCA All-American
• Finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award (NCAA Division II senior lineman of the year)
• D2CCA All-Super Region 3 Defensive Player of the Year
• First-team D2CCA all-super region
• 2025 Harlon Hill Trophy (NCAA Division II's Player of the Year) candidate
• Great Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year
• First-team all-conference

The winner of the 2025 Cliff Harris Award is selected by the Cliff Harris Award selection committee, and will be announced on Monday (Jan. 19). The award recognizes the top small college defensive player in the country in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and NAIA.