HICKORY, N.C. – Jaquan Artis became the first Lenoir-Rhyne player to earn the D2CCA Ron Lenz National Defensive Player of the Year award. Artis was also named a First Team All-American and teammates Jason Poe and Kyle Dugger earned Second Team All-American honors.

Artis' standout senior season made him a finalist for the Harlon Hill and Gene Upshaw awards on top of the National Defensive Player of the Year honor. The 6-3, 230-pound DE amassed 82 tackles with 23 stops for loss and 14.5 sacks and led LR to a 13-1 season and a second straight NCAA Quarterfinal appearance. Artis hit for the cycle, capturing conference, regional and national player of the year accolades.

Poe earns his second straight All-American award as the junior was a Don Hansen Second Team All-American in 2018. Poe, who has won two straight South Atlantic Conference Jacobs Blocking Trophy awards, helped the Bears to be a top-10 rushing offense in Division II.

Dugger earned a second team selection as a DB after being a Don Hansen Honorable Mention All-American as a return specialist in 2018. Despite playing in only seven games, Dugger's impact was enough to earn him an All-American nod. The senior finished with 31 tackles, four pass breakups and two interceptions. One of those INTs was returned for a touchdown, one of seven career defensive or special teams touchdowns for Dugger.

To see the entire D2CCA All-American release, click here.