Southwestern Athletic Conference

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - All-Southwestern Athletic Conference defenders, Mississippi Valley State University defensive lineman, Robert Simpson, and Southern linebacker, Anthony Balancier, were added to College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) 2013 FCS Watch List.

The CFPA, the largest awards organization in Division I college football, recently announced its watch list for the Football Championship Subdivision that includes 36 defensive lineman.

The list, updated weekly by position, now includes eight football players from the SWAC. Dray Joseph (QB - Southern), Lee Doss (WR - Southern), Ladarius Eckwood (WR - Arkansas-Pine Bluff), Isaiah Crowell (RB - Alabama State), Dezmond Beverly (TE - Arkansas-Pine) and Justin Robinson (TE - Alabama State) were named to the CFPA Watch List for their respective positions.

Simpson (6-4 • 255 • Sr. • Gulfport, Miss.) led the SWAC in tackles for loss with 22.5, finishing second in FCS. He finished fourth in the SWAC in sacks with seven while recording two fumbles and 59 tackles (29 solo). At the end of the season, Simpson was named to the All-SWAC First Team defense.

He helped lead MVSU (5-6, 5-4 SWAC) to its best record since 2006. The Delta Devils defense ranked fourth in the nation and second in tackles for loss (98). The unit led the SWAC in total defense, rushing defense, interceptions, opponent third down conversions and first downs.

Balancier (6-2 • 225 • Jr. • New Orleans, La.) led SU in tackles (69 - 32 solo), tackles for a loss (14), sacks (4.5), forced fumbles (2) and interceptions (2). He finished the season on the All-SWAC second team while helping the Jaguars finish fifth in sacks (21). SU finished second in the West Division completing the season 4-7 (3-6 SWAC) after experiencing a head coaching change from a 0-2 start.    

All CFPA recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. All players are eligible for awards at their respective positions; players are not preemptively eliminated from consideration. The winner will be announced January 8, 2014.