Brett Biestek Named to CFPA Watch List

Bronx, N.Y. (May 19, 2014) – Fordham University's Brett Biestek has earned a spot on the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) FCS Awards Watch List it was announced today.

"Congratulations to Brett Biestek on earning a spot on the 2014 CFPA Watch List," said CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. "Biestek will be one of the nation's top defenders to watch in 2014."
 
Biestek was named First Team Capital One Academic All-America® last fall, Fordham's first football Academic All-American^® since Barry Cantrell in 1997, as well as a Football Championship Subdivision Athletics Directors Association (FCS ADA) Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Academic All-Patriot League and to the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team.
 
Biestek, a senior Finance major with a 3.78 GPA, started all 14 games on the Fordham defensive line last fall, recording 58 total tackles, 40 solo, including 14.5 tackles for a loss of 74 yards and five sacks for 36 yards. He also had five quarterback hurries, four pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and a blocked kick. Biestek tied for second in the Patriot League in tackles for loss per game (1.04) and tied for seventh in sacks per game (0.36) and was named first team All-Patriot League.
 
Over his career, Biestek has 86 total tackles, 58 solo, including 20 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He also has eleven pass breakups.
 
A Finance major with a 3.78 GPA, Biestek graduated in three-and-a-half years and is currently enrolled in the Fordham MBA program. He is believed to be just the second Fordham football player to graduate early and enroll directly into the MBA program.
 
The initial CFPA watch list includes 38 defensive linemen, vying for the top defensive end and defensive tackle awards in the Football Championship Subdivision. All players are eligible for awards at their respective positions; players are not preemptively eliminated from consideration.
 
The goal of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferment in college football. Recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. Twenty-eight CFPA winners have been first-round NFL Draft selections.
 
Last season, Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston earned the CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy for the FBS, while Eastern Washington quarterback Vernon Adams earned the CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year Trophy.
 
CFPA Trophy winner and former South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney was the first overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft.
 
The full list of 2014 CFPA winners will be announced January 14, 2015.