Siena Heights football player Kole Murlin was in the mix for the most prestigious award for small-school defensive players. 

Murlin, a senior linebacker, was the leading vote-getter among NAIA schools for the Cliff Harris Award, which honors the nation's small defensive player of the year from the NAIA, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III.

The award was won by another collegian in the state of Michigan, defensive lineman Caleb Murphy of D-II national champ Ferris State.

Murlin was among 37 NAIA nominees and 22 NAIA finalists before emerging as the leading NAIA vote-getter.

Alexander Perkins, a defensive end from Millikin (Ill.), was the top vote recipient in Division III.

In 2022, Murlin was the first-ever three-time Mid-States Football Association Player of the Year for either offense or defense. He is the first Saint in program history to receive All-America recognition in three seasons.

Murlin rewrote the Siena Heights record books during his four years. His 114 tackles in 2022 are the most in a single season in SHU history, eclipsing his previous two marks of 112 tackles in 2021 and 111 tackles in 2019.  His 55 solo tackles also set a single season SHU record, eclipsing the previous high of 50, set in 2013.

Murlin was also a 2021 finalist for the Cliff Harris Award as well, joining Trevon Claybourne (2019) and Darius Price (2017) as the only finalists for the award in Siena Heights history.  There have now been 31 finalists for the award in Mid States Football Association History.

Murlin joins Darius Price as the only Saints to be the leading vote getter in the NAIA for the Cliff Harris Award.  It marks the second time in seven years the Saints have received this recognition.

Football Coach Matt Kohn said, "It's nice to see Kole recognized for his work.  This award is voted on by coaches who watch NAIA football and have seen him play.  It's great to be recognized by people who are so knowledgeable about the game and specifically how great of a player that Kole is.  To receive recognition like this on top of all the other accolades he has received throughout his career is a testament to the player he has been."

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