The Albion College football team boasts the MIAA’s best player on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
On Nov. 14, running back Clinton Orr, Buchanan junior, was named the MIAA’s Offensive Most Valuable Player. Meanwhile, defensive back Chris Greenwood, Detroit senior, was selected as the MIAA Defensive Most Valuable Player.
“I was walking down to the Dow and people kept telling me congratulations,” Greenwood said. “I wasn’t sure what they were talking about so I had to ask, and they told me I won the defensive MVP.”
Winning the award may have come as a surprise to Greenwood, but his teammates recognize that both players are special talents.
“Clinton Orr and Chris Greenwood are two of the most Athletic people I have met,” receiver Brian Spencer, East Lansing junior, said. “So it doesn’t surprise me when I see them getting those accolades.”
Greenwood’s play has even been noticed by National Football League scouts. Representatives from over 15 NFL teams have come to watch him. Greenwood said the attention is exciting, but he recognizes that it’s a difficult transition from a small college team to professional one.
“There is a big difference between Division 3 and Division 1, let alone the NFL,” Greenwood said.
Many other members of the squad garnered awards as well. Defensive back Matt Lozier, Clarklake senior, received the Pete Schmidt Award Scholar-Athlete for his off-field achievements.
A biology major, Lozier carries a 3.92 grade point average. In addition to playing football, he is the president of Albion College’s National Honor Society, while also mentoring students at Harrington Elementary School in Albion.
“He’s one of the hardest workers I have ever met, in terms of on and off the field,” Spencer said.
The Britons were also well represented on the MIAA’s all-conference teams.
Eight players, including Orr and Greenwood, earned All-MIAA First Team distinction. Those players include Spencer, along with TE Tyler Kramer, St. Johns first-year, OL Eric Woods, Comstock junior, OL Chris Ogston, Eaton Rapids sophomore, DL C.J. Carroll, Warren junior, and LB John Lesinski, Grass Lake senior, were named All-MIAA First Team.
Additionally, seven more players earned All-MIAA Second Team honors. Those players include QB Spencer Krauss, Tipton junior, WR J.C. Cruse, Detroit senior, DL Jacob Heinrich, Rochester Hills senior, SS Derrick Jackson, Allegan senior, LB Brett McCarty, Alto sophomore, DB Lorenzo Reese, Ypsilanti junior, and K Nick Pendell, Ithaca first-year.
Photo Courtesy of Albion College
Congrats Chris! Great player with the size, speed, and solid family support to make it at the next level. It won’t be easy, but he’ll definitely get a fair shot to show what he can do at the next level!