Williams becomes fourth Southern Jaguar added to CFPA list

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  --  After securing spots on the 2013 Preseason All-SWAC first team at defensive back and returner specialist, Southern University senior Virgil Williams became the fourth Jaguar to be named on the College Football Performance Awards watch list for 2013.

College Football Performance Awards, the largest awards organization in D-I college football, recently announced its 2013 CFPA Punt Returner Award Watch List. The initial list highlights 33 returning performers, vying for the top national punt return specialist award in the FCS.

"Congratulations to Virgil Williams on earning a spot on the 2013 CFPA Watch List," said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. "With Williams returning for the 2013 season, Southern University is well-positioned for success on punt return."

Williams joins SU quarterback Dray Joseph, wide receiver Lee Doss and linebacker Anthony Balancier on the CFPA watch list. Doss and Balancier were also named to the All-SWAC first team with Joseph receiving a second team selection.

More than 130 CFPA recipients have signed professional contracts, and twenty-one have been first-round NFL Draft selections.

The CFPA's best college returner awards date back to 2008 with Alabama's Javier Arenas earning the inaugural award. Other CFPA recipients performing as NFL return specialists include: Tavon Austin (West Virginia), Patrick Peterson (LSU), Giovani Bernard (North Carolina), C.J. Spiller (Clemson), Jayron Hosley (Virginia Tech), Dexter McCluster (Ole Miss), Dez Bryant (Oklahoma State), Golden Tate (Notre Dame), LaMichael James (Oregon), Laron Scott (Georgia Southern), Damian Williams (USC), Taiwan Jones (Eastern Washington), Ryan Broyles (Oklahoma), Eric Page (Toledo), Cliff Harris (Oregon), Justin Blackmon (Oklahoma State), Asa Jackson (Cal Poly), Tyrann Mathieu (LSU), Joe Adams (Arkansas), Fozzy Whittaker (Texas), Jerodis Williams (Furman), Miguel Maysonet (Stony Brook), and Reggie Dunn (Utah).

Last season, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel earned the 2012 CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy, while Harvard quarterback Colton Chapple earned the 2012 CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy. Multiple award presentations were broadcast live nationally on ESPN, CBS, Fox Sports, Big Ten Network, Pac 12 Network, as well as internationally on BYUtv.

T
he full list of 2013 recipients, including the 2013 CFPA FCS Awards, will be announced on January 8, 2014.

For more information, visit the Official CFPA Website (http://www.collegefootballperformance.com). Follow CFPA on Twitter @CFPerformance.

COURTESY SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS