State sports briefs

Harding lineman first-team All-American Harding University offensive lineman Gavin De Los Santos was named to The Associated Press NCAA Division II All-America first team Wednesday.

Harding linebacker Sam Blankenship, Arkansas Tech University defensive back Cua’ Rose and University of Arkansas-Monticello receiver Jalen Tolliver were second-team selections.

De Los Santos, a Lake Hamilton High School graduate, led a Harding offense that ranked second in Division II with 341.9 rushing yards per game. He started all 15 games at right tackle this season for the Bisons and started 39 games in his career.

A junior from Tulsa, Blankenship led Harding with 130 tackles. He had 13 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks while also leading the Great American Conference with 4 forced fumbles.

Rose led the Wonder Boys with five interceptions and was the team’s second-leading tackler (85) in 2017. A junior from McGehee, Rose had three interceptions in Arkansas Tech’s 26-3 victory over Henderson State in the second game of the season.

Tolliver, a senior from Rayville, La., tied for first in the nation in receiving touchdowns (16) and was 12th in receiving yards (1,109). The GAC offensive player of the year, Tolliver broke the school’s all-time receiving yards and touchdowns this season. Three from state among Cliff Harris nominees

University of Arkansas at Monticello defensive lineman Jeremy Jackson, Southern Arkansas University defensive lineman Davondrick Lison and Lyon College defensive back Xavier Story were among the 137 nominees for the Cliff Harris Award announced Wednesday.

Previous award winners include Pierre Desir and Connor Harris of Lindenwood Univeristy and Marqui Christian of Midwestern State, all of whom have played in the NFL.

The award, named for Ouachita Baptist University and Dallas Cowboys defensive back Cliff Harris, is given annually to the top defensive player in either NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III or NAIA. Finalists will be announced next week and the award winner will be announced Dec. 23. The winner will be honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club’s annual awards banquet Jan. 11.