CFPA confers national award winners for each position for both subdivisions of NCAA Division I - FBS and FCS - and bases its awards on objective scientific rankings of the extent individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their respective teams.

Riddick (Akron, Ohio / Buchtel HS) shared the 2013 Defensive End Award with Harvard's Zach Hodges. Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun captured the Defensive Line Award on the FBS level.

Riddick is the first student-athlete from Gardner-Webb to earn a postseason award from CFPA.

The 6-foot-7, 240-pounder has already earned FCS All-America honors this postseason from the Associated Press (1st Team), Walter Camp Foundation (1st Team) and Sports Network (2nd Team). He is the first Gardner-Webb player to earn a spot on all three teams since Brian Johnston did so following the 2007 season.

Riddick also finished fifth in voting for the 2013 Buck Buchanan Award, the highest ever for a Gardner-Webb defender. He was included on the 2013 mid-season Watch List for the prestigious Ted Hendricks Award - which was taken home by University of Texas All-America end Jackson Jeffcoat.

Riddick enjoyed a breakout season in 2013, totaling 67 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 17 quarterback pressures, 8.5 sacks and a pair of pass break ups. His sack total set a new Big South Conference single-season record, which he accomplished in 11 games played.

Riddick ranked second nationally in tackles for loss per game and led the nation with 109 negative yards recorded on those TFL. His line against the four top-25 foes Gardner-Webb played was impressive - 28 total hits, 9.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and nine pressures. GWU went 3-1 in those games, with all three wins coming against teams ranked in the top-15 at the time.

Gardner-Webb's defense was exceptional this past season, helping the Runnin' Bulldogs to its highest win total since 2003. GWU ranked fifth nationally in total defense with a Big South-record 296.8 yards allowed per game - a 96 spot improvement from the previous season.

GWU also ranked in the top-25 nationally in fourth down conversion defense (2nd), first downs allowed defense (8th), passing yardage defense (10th), third down defense (11th), rushing defense (17th), tackles for loss (18th) and pass efficiency defense (22nd).

Riddick is one of 18 starters returning for Gardner-Webb in 2014 on offense and defense, with as many as nine projected defensive starters next season residing in the junior or senior class.