Palmer, Harris named to CFPA watch list

[May 30, 2012]  CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Illinois State defensive linemen Nate Palmer and Shelby Harris were among 40 Football Championship Subdivision players named to the College Football Performance Awards preseason watch list for the organization's 2012 CFPA Defensive Tackle/Defensive End Award.

The purpose of the College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams.

The duo was named to the list along with fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference defensive linemen Ben Obaseki of Indiana State, Cole Jirik of North Dakota State and Kenneth Boatright of Southern Illinois. They also join teammates Matt Brown (2012 CFPA Quarterback Award) and Tyrone Walker (2012 CFPA Wide Receiver) on the organization's 2012 watch lists.

Palmer was named an All-Missouri Valley Football Conference Second-Team selection in 2011 in his first season with the Redbirds, after transferring from Illinois. The Chicago, Ill., native started all 11 games at defensive end led the team and the MVFC with 9.5 sacks. He also recorded 46 tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, forced two fumbles and posted at least a half-sack in nine of the team's 11 games played.

Named the MVFC Newcomer of the Week after registering five tackles, two sacks, three tackles-for-loss and a forced fumble in a win over nationally ranked Indiana State, Palmer later went on to earn a spot on the MVFC All-Newcomer Team at the end of the season, along with Evan Frierson, Mike Banks, James O'Shaughnessy and Lechein Neblett.

Harris played in nine games, with six starts at defensive tackle, and was sixth on the team with 49 total tackles in 2011. The Milwaukee, Wis., native ranked third on the team with 12.5 tackles-for-loss and added six sacks, forced a safety, blocked a pair of kicks and recovered a fumble. He was named the MVFC Defensive Player of the Week after his performance against the nationally ranked Indiana State, when he recorded a pair of sacks and six tackles in a victory over the Sycamores.

The Redbirds will open the 2012 season at Hancock Stadium on Sept.1 against Pioneer Football League opponent Dayton.

[Text from news release received from Michael Williams, Illinois State University]