Lenoir-Rhyne's Artis Named a Finalist for Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award

MANHEIM, Pa. – Regional voting narrowed a field of 35 candidates to eight finalists for the 2019 Gene Upshaw Division II Lineman of the Year Award. The finalists include four offensive linemen and four defensive linemen.

The award is presented by the Manheim Touchdown Club and voted on by the nation's NCAA Division II sports information directors. Two finalists advance from each of the four NCAA Division II super regions. All nominees must be seniors. 

Representing Super Region 1 is Indiana (Pa.) center Jeff Arnold and Slippery Rock left tackle Chris Larsen. Super Region 2 finalists are Lenoir-Rhyne defensive end Jaquan Artis and Valdosta State offensive lineman Adonis Sealey. Advancing from Super Region 3 are Ferris State defensive end Austin Edwards and Truman State defensive end Sam Reeves. Super Region 4 is represented by defensive end B.J. Jefferson of Tarleton State and left tackle Grant Stewart of Colorado School of Mines.  (Bios on each player on page 2)

Seven of the eight finalists play for teams that reached the NCAA Division II Playoffs, which begin on Nov. 23. Larsen helped Slippery Rock to a PSAC Championship and a No. 1 seed in Super Region 1. Arnold's IUP team is the No. 4 seed in Super Region 1. In Super Region 2, Artis' Lenoir-Rhyne team is 11-0 and earned the No. 2 seed. Sealey's Valdosta State team, which won the NCAA Division II Championship in 2018, is again undefeated with a No. 1 seed. Edwards, who also played in the national championship game a season ago for Ferris State, has the Bulldogs as the No. 1 seed in Super Region 3. Reeves' Truman State team posted a 9-2 record. In Super Region 4, B.J. Jefferson's Tarleton State team is 11-0 and a No. 2 seed. Stewart's Colorado School of Mines team is also 11-0 and owns the No. 3 seed.

The national round of voting begins on Monday, Nov. 25 and closes on Sunday, Dec. 1. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 4. The award recipient has an invitation to participate in front of professional scouts and coaches at the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla. The winner will also be recognized at the Manheim Touchdown Club's annual banquet in May.

The NFL recognizes, endorses and supports the winner of the award by guaranteeing a place in the all-star games. The support comes as recognition and appreciation for the late Mr. Upshaw, who was not only an All-Pro lineman for the Oakland Raiders, but later served as the executive director of the NFL Players Association for 25 years. Upshaw, a former standout offensive lineman at Texas A&I University (now Texas A&M Kingsville), was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987 in his first year of eligibility.

FINALIST INFORMATION

Jeff Arnold (Indiana (Pa.), C, Pittsburgh, Pa.)

An All-America selection as a junior in 2018, Arnold has earned three All-Super Region 1 selections in three seasons and is a four-time All-PSAC West pick. He has started 45 games in his career--missing just one because of an injury--and has started 26 in a row. Arnold's offense ranks in the top 15 nationally in total offense and passing yards and has scored 50-plus points five times this season. Arnold has helped IUP to a 40-7 record with three NCAA playoff appearances in his four years as a starter.

Chris Larsen (Slippery Rock, LT, Erie, Pa.)

Larsen, an All-PSAC West First Team selection for the undefeated PSAC Champions, protects the blindside for a quarterback that leads the nation in total offense, passing efficiency, passing touchdowns and points responsible for. Larsen's offense ranks fifth nationally in scoring at 46.9 points per game and averages 321.4 passing yards per game--a total that is fifth nationally. Coaches graded Larsen at 88 percent over more than 700 snaps this season. He has started 41 games, including 26 consecutive games at left tackle, helping the team to back-to-back PSAC West titles and a 37-10 record during his career.

Jaquan Artis (Lenoir-Rhyne, DE, Kinston, N.C.)

Along with winning the South Atlantic Conference Defensive Player of the Year Award, Artis' 12 1/2 sacks ranks fifth in Division II, and his 19 1/2 tackles for loss are 12th. For a defense that ranks 10th in the nation in points allowed (15.7 points per game) and 23rd in total defense, Artis leads the team in tackles with 65. He tallied at least a half-sack in every game of the season. Artis ranks seventh among all active Division II players in career sacks with 25.

Adonis Sealey (Valdosta State, OL, Hamer, S.C.)

The offensive line anchor for a national championship-winning team in 2018, Sealey's offensive line has allowed just eight sacks (No. 8 in DII) in 2019 and it is an offense that ranks No. 4 in Division II in total offense with 523.2 yards per game. He also paves the way for the Gulf South Conference's leading rusher. The Blazers have won 25 consecutive games and during ghat stretch, Sealey has earned All-Gulf South Conference First Team two times. In 2018, Sealey was a D2CCA All-America Second Team selection. He is also GSC Academic Honor Roll member.

Austin Edwards (Ferris State, DE, Lansing, Mich.)

The first defensive player to with the GLIAC Player of the Year Award since 2005, Edwards has led the Bulldogs to back-to-back conference titles and unbeaten regular seasons. He is a two-time All-American and two-time All-GLIAC First Team pick who has totaled 8 sacks, 13 1/2 tackles for loss a 45 tackles in 2019. Edwards' defense ranks fourth in Division II in total defense (262.2) and third in scoring defense (13.7).

Sam Reeves (Truman State, DE, Eloy, Ariz.)

The NCAA Division II active leader in career sacks with 40 1/2, entering his senior season, Reeves has already notched three All-GLVC First Team honors. Reeves also ranks eighth among active players in career tackles for loss per game. In 2019, Reeves has recorded 8 1/2 sacks and 12 1/2 tackles for loss for a 9-2 team that beat two FCS teams and earned its first national ranking since 2001. Reeves is also a former national qualifier in wrestling.

B.J. Jefferson (Tarleton State, DE, Acres Homes, Texas)

The national leader with 24 tackles for loss, Jefferson has helped Tarleton State to a No. 3 national ranking, back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and consecutive Lone Star Conference titles. In addition to 7 1/2 sacks, he totaled has 10 quarterback hurries, four pass breakups and an interception. He also leads the team in tackles with 87. Jefferson's defense has allowed just 15.9 points per game, ranking 13th nationally in scoring. The team's 275.2 yards per game allowed ranks 12th nationally. 

Grant Stewart (Colorado School of Mines, LT, South Lake, Texas)

A Lindy's Preseason All-America First Team selection and four-year starter at three difference positions, Stewart moved to left tackle as a senior and has paves the way for an offense that ranks in the top 15 in the nation in first downs, total offense and rushing yards while allowing just 14 sacks. Stewart has not been flagged in 2019. Stewart is a three-time All-RMAC selection, Stewart helped the Orediggers to an 11-0 regular season record, No. 7 national ranking and an RMAC title.