Argo and Filer Named Cliff Harris Award Finalists
Two of the Heart of America Athletic Conference’s top defenders are getting national recognition. Grand View’s John Argo and Jackson Filer have been nominated for the prestigious Cliff Harris Award, honoring the nation’s best defensive players in small college football.
The Cliff Harris Award, named after NFL Hall of Famer Cliff Harris, celebrates defensive excellence both on and off the field. Nominees are recognized for their impact in games, leadership, and character, with winners receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to Frisco, Texas for a VIP tour of 'The Star' alongside Harris himself.
Argo, a finalist in 2024, has dominated defensively this season. The Heart of America Conference Defensive Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, he racked up 101 total tackles, 4 interceptions, and 14.5 tackles for loss, earning Second Team AFCA All-American honors.
Filer also had a standout season, earning Second Team AFCA All-American and First Team All-Conference honors. He finished with a team-high 18.5 tackles for loss and 70 total tackles, anchoring the Heart defense alongside Argo.
The finalists and winner of the 2025 Cliff Harris Award for NAIA are selected by the NAIA Selection Committee. The winner will be announced live at halftime of the 2025 NAIA Football National Championship on NAIA Network Saturday, December
20.
About the Cliff Harris Award: The Cliff Harris Award is an annual recognition program dedicated to celebrating exceptional defensive players in small college football. Named after NFL Hall of Famer Cliff Harris, the award acknowledges players who exhibit excellence on and off the field. The winners from each division are honored in the spring with an all expenses paid trip and VIP tour of 'The Star' in Frisco, TX alongside Cliff. There, they get a one of a kind behind the scenes look at the most valuable and recognizable sports franchise in the world.