Former Trojan Named NAIA Defensive Player of the Year

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), associated with the Cliff Harris Award, announced that former Fairfield Trojan Tristin Waugh of Grand View was named the 2023 Cliff Harris Award recipient. Waugh, a defensive end for the Vikings, was selected for the award as the top defensive player in the NAIA in an announcement made on Monday at halftime of the 2023 NAIA Football National Championship, live on the ESPN3 broadcast.

Waugh is the first to receive the Cliff Harris Award in a program that has seen many named to the Defensive All-American Team. 

Waugh is ranked No. 1 in the NAIA in sacks with 15 on the year, leading a Grand View defensive front that led the NAIA, allowing just 7.3 points per game. The senior accounted for nearly half of the 37 sacks on the year for the Vikings, leading the nation in total yards lost off sacks with 100.

Over the year, he registered 48 total tackles, 15 sacks, 23 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.