Albright College senior Drew Peterson has been named a finalist for the Cliff Harris Small College Defensive Player of the Year award.

The Cliff Harris Award will be presented to the top defensive player in the country representing Division II, III and NAIA colleges and universities. Finalists from all three divisions and an overall winner are chosen by head coaches and a prestigious selection committee of college and pro football greats.

The winner will be announced in December and honored at the Little Rock Touchdown Club's annual awards banquet in February 2014, featuring guest speaker Lou Holtz. Presenting sponsor is the Wright, Lindsey & Jennings Law Firm.

Peterson was one of 20 Division III finalists chosen, and one of 49 players overall who were listed.

The senior safety tied for first in the nation with eight total interceptions, returning them for 133 yards and one touchdown. He earned first team All-MAC honors for the second consecutive season.

Peterson added eight pass breakups for 16 passes defended. He had 46 tackles (26 solo), with one for loss. He totaled two interceptions vs. Kean, earning a spot on the D3football.com Team of the Week. He also had two INTs and returned one for a touchdown at FDU-Florham.

For his career, Peterson had 16 interceptions and four touchdown returns (three INT, one punt). Originally recruited as a wide receiver, he switched to safety midway through his freshman season and quickly became one the conference's top defensive players.

On Monday, Peterson was named a first team All-East Region selection by D3football.com.