FORT WORTH, Texas -- Southeastern defensive lineman
Thomas Ibrahim has been named the 2025 Cliff Harris Award recipient, recognizing him as the top defensive player in NAIA football. The announcement was made live during the third quarter of the NAIA Football National Championship broadcast on the NAIA Network powered by Urban Edge Network.
The Cliff Harris Award is presented annually to honor the most outstanding defensive players in small college football, celebrating excellence both on and off the field. Named after NFL Hall of Famer Cliff Harris, the award's NAIA recipient is selected by the NAIA All-America Selection Committee, a group comprised of head coaches from across the nation.
Ibrahim's selection caps a historic 2025 season in which he established himself as one of the most dominant defensive forces in the country. He finished the year as the NAIA national leader in both sacks and tackles for loss, while also setting SEU single-season records in both categories. Over 12 games, Ibrahim totaled 11 sacks, 24 tackles for loss, and 68 tackles, including 31 solo stops, anchoring one of the nation's top defensive units and helping propel the Fire to one of the strongest seasons in program history.
In addition to his Cliff Harris Award honor, Ibrahim was named an AFCA NAIA Coaches' First Team All-American and earned First Team NAIA All-America recognition from The Associated Press. He was also selected to the First Team All-Sun Conference. The honors collectively reflect the esteem he earned from coaches and media alike for his consistency, production, and leadership throughout the season.
Ibrahim's influence extends well beyond a single season. He concludes his Southeastern career with 157 tackles, the sixth-most in program history, while his 33.5 tackles for loss rank second all-time. His 15.5 career sacks are tied for the third-most in school history, cementing his legacy as one of the most productive and impactful defensive linemen to ever wear the Fire uniform.
With his combination of elite production, consistency, and leadership, Ibrahim's 2025 Cliff Harris Award serves as a fitting capstone to a remarkable collegiate career.
