CWU football star earns prestigious national honor

Central Washington University football standout Tanner Volk has been named the winner of the 2023 Cliff Harris Award as the top defensive player in NCAA Division II.

Volk led the nation with 13 interceptions and 182 interception return yards, helping the Wildcats advance to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division II Playoffs—the team’s best finish since 2009. Volk, who also led the nation in total tackles with 124, becomes the first player in program history to receive the honor.

“I am extremely honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award,” Volk said on WildcatSports.com. “I'm very thankful for my teammates and coaches, and the countless work that they put in this year. I just want to thank Mr. Harris and the rest of the selection committee. I'm very grateful to represent this program and university.”

The Cliff Harris Award is an annual recognition that celebrates exceptional defensive players in small college football. The award acknowledges players who exhibit excellence on and off the field. It was expanded this year to honor one winner for each of NCAA Division II, Division III, and NAIA. 

Volk was one of 48 finalists for the Division II award, which will be presented at a ceremony in early 2024 at the Little Rock (Arkansas) Touchdown Club.

“After reviewing our outstanding group of finalists for this season, we’re thrilled to be able to recognize the incredible season Tanner Volk had for Central Washington,” said Harris, an NFL Hall of Fame safety. “Not only leading the nation with 13 interceptions but also in total tackles is something this old safety can appreciate.”

Volk, a junior safety from Portland, was the only defensive player named as a Harlon Hill Award finalist for the best D-II player in the country and finished fourth. He was just the 14th defensive player to ever be named a finalist for that award.

Along with winning the Cliff Harris Award, Volk was named a first-team All-American and was the Lonestar Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He also earned first-team Lonestar Conference honors as a sophomore.

Wildcat head coach Chris Fisk said he can think of no one more deserving than Volk.

“We are extremely excited to see Tanner win such a prestigious award,” he said. “I can't think of a better person to win this award. Not only did he have the stats required to win this award, but I think Mr. Harris would be excited to know he also picked one of the most deserving people to win this award since Tanner's character is just as impressive as his stats.”