DAVIDSON, N.C. - North Dakota State defensive end Kyle Emanuel was named to the 2014 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) watch list announced Monday, May 19.

The initial 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.

Emanuel, a senior from Schuyler, Neb., made all 15 starts last year and led the Bison defense with 10.0 tackles for loss including 7.5 sacks.  He made 47 tackles, was credited with eight quarterback hurries and blocked two kicks.

Two former NDSU stars have earned CFPA honors: John Prelvitz (CFPA Punter Award) and Marcus Williams (CFPA Defensive Back Award).
 
The goal of College Football Performance Awards is to provide the most scientifically rigorous conferments 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.

CFPA Defensive Line Watch List
Nick Richardson, Abilene Christian
LeBrandon Richardson, Bethune-Cookman
Jeff Covitz, Bryant
Maduka Nwanekezi, Bryant
Demetrius Baldwin-Youngblood, Bucknell
Isaac Scott, Campbell
Jonathan Woodard, Central Arkansas
DAVIS TULL, CHATTANOOGA*
Justin Oxendine, The Citadel
Derrick Saulsberry, Delaware
Rodney Gunter, Delaware State
Dino Fanti, Eastern Illinois
Evan Day, Eastern Washington
Brett Biestek, Fordham
Gary Wilkins, Furman
O.J. Le'iatua Mau, Gardner-Webb
Alec May, Georgetown
Miles Grooms, Hampton
ZACH HODGES, HARVARD*
Damon Gresham-Chisholm, Howard
Connor Underwood, Indiana State
Javancy Jones, Jackson State
Sage Harold, James Madison
Brandon Lee, James Madison
Everett Ellefsen, McNeese State
Zack Wagenmann, Montana
Sean Fugate, Mississippi Valley State
Kyle Emanuel, North Dakota State
Xavier Williams, Northern Iowa
Evan Kelly, Richmond
Troy Moore, Sacred Heart
Andrew Carter, South Carolina State
James Cowser, Southern Utah
Anthony Bass, Tennessee State
Amir Bloom, Texas Southern
Ryan Delaire, Towson
Mike Reilly, William & Mary
Tarek Odom, Wofford

*Returning CFPA winners