Grambling State University linebacker Cliff Exama has been named the Sheridan Broadcasting Network Mel Blount Defensive Player of the Year after leading GSU to the 2012 Southwestern Athletic Conference championship.
 
Tigers senior receiver Mario Louis was also named to the SBN 2011 Black College All-America team.
 
Exama, who was also a SBN All-American last season, led the Tigers with 136 tackles, with 19 coming behind the line of scrimmage and three recorded as quarterback sacks.
 
The senior out of North Miami Beach, Fla., also added two interceptions, a safety, three quarterback hurries and four pass breakups to his statistics.
 
“Cliff was our leader on defense and you can't say enough about the season he had” GSU Head Coach Doug Williams said. “It seemed like if we needed a big play on defense, Cliff was usually the one who stepped up and provided it.”
 
Exama said earning the SWAC Championship was his biggest honor of the season.
 
“That was the goal,” Exama said. “Personal awards are great. I worked hard all season and I'm honored. But celebrating on the field in Birmingham (Ala.) after winning (the SWAC Championship over Alabama A&M) is what it was all about.”

Exama's late interception against Alabama A&M secured Grambling's 16-15 win in the SWAC title game.
 
Louis, who prepped at Higgins High School in New Orleans, topped the Tigers with 51 catches for 1,129 yards, with 18 coming for touchdowns.
 
“Mario is a special athlete and I don't think his abilities showed before his senior year because before I came back to Grambling, the offense was run-oriented and the receivers mainly blocked,” Williams said. “Being a basketball, Mario has a knack for going up and getting the ball, and I think he showed that ability all season long.”
 
Exama and Louis will be honored at the 38th Annual BCAA Awards Reception and during the Black College Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony, Feb. 17-18 in Atlanta.