Kinston alum Artis tabbed SAC Defensive Player of the Year
Senior is also a finalist for the Gene Upshaw Award (top lineman in NCAA Division II) and Harlon Hill Trophy (overall top player in NCAA Division II). Lenoir-Rhyne College photo
HICKORY - Jaquan Artis didn’t appear on any South Atlantic Conference all-conference ballots after a stellar junior season at Lenoir-Rhyne.
It seems his 11 quarterback sacks, which ranked second best in the SAC, and 80 total tackles weren’t enough to impress his peers.
“Last year I felt that I was overlooked because I thought I had an amazing season,” Artis said. “I just used that to guide me. I looked at a lot of film, critiqued myself and kept that in mind.
“I’ve been locked in and made sure that they kept their eye on me this season.”
The critics noticed this time.
Artis earned the SAC Defensive Player-of-the-Year award.
But that’s not all.
Kinston High alum Jaquan Artis, right, is part of a Lenoir-Rhyne defense that ranks sixth nationally against the run. Lenoir-Rhyne University photo
The Kinston High grad is one of eight regional finalists for the prestigious Gene Upshaw Award (best lineman in D2), and is a nominee for the Harlon Hill Trophy which is presented to the top player in all of Division II.
“I don’t worry about those things, just try to play my game,” Artis said. “If I do great, I just know that good things will come my way. I just stay humble, go out there and give it my all effort every game that we have left.
“This is my last season.”
Artis posted eight stops, 2 1/2 sacks and forced a fumble during Lenoir-Rhyne’s romp over league rival Carson-Newman (TN) this past Saturday. The Bears (13-0 overall) face West Florida, which upset defending national champ Valdosta State (GA), in the national quarterfinals.
In 13 games, Artis’ stat sheet looks like this: 79 tackles, 23 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and 11 quarterback hurries. He ranks ninth nationally in sacks per game.
Lenoir-Rhyne has the nation’s sixth-best rushing defense.
“This has been an awesome year with these guys,” Artis said. “Practices, paying attention to details, focusing on a lot of things that we got in trouble on [last year] and that’s helped us succeed in games.”
Upshaw Award voting ended Monday. If Artis wins, he gets an invitation to work out in front of professional scouts during the East-West Shrine Game in St. Petersburg, Fla. The winner be announced Dec. 4.
Voting also concluded Monday for the Harlon Hill Trophy. The winner will be revealed Dec. 20 and recognized Jan. 9, 2020, at Little Rock Touchdown Club.
