Contact: Nicholas Osterloo, Director of Athletics Communication, 630-637-5324

Cliff Harris Division III Press Release

Jan. 8, 2026 - For the second straight season, North Central College defensive lineman John Sullivan has been named one of six finalists for the Cliff Harris Award, presented to the nation's top small-college defensive player in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, and the NAIA.

Sullivan swept all four All-America teams this season and was the only defensive player to earn First Team honors from every organization. He was also named Defensive Player of the Year by both D3football.com  and the Associated Press. A five-time All-American, he previously earned Second Team recognition from D3football.com in 2023.

Sullivan finished the year with 73 tackles, 22 tackles for loss totaling 94 yards, eight sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, and eight pass breakups. His 22 tackles for loss tie Ben Hare's 2004 mark for the most in a single season by a Cardinal, while his 39.5 career tackles for loss rank sixth in program history.

The Division III regional finalists are Jason Bateman of Eastern University (Region 1), Galen Limantour of Susquehanna University (Region 2), Dominick Williams of East Texas Baptist University (Region 3), Kaleb Brown of the University of Mount Union (Region 4), John Sullivan of North Central College (Region 5), and Gage Timm of the University of Wisconsin–River Falls (Region 6).

The D3football.com selection committee selects finalists and the 2025 Cliff Harris Award winner.