CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 15, 2013) – College Football Performance Awards, the largest awards organization in D-I college football, recently announced its watch list for the 2013 CFPA FCS Linebacker Award, and Saint Francis linebacker Bishop Neal (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) earned a spot on the list. With the addition of Neal, the preliminary watch list highlights thirty-six returning performers, vying for the top individual linebacker award in the Football Championship Subdivision.

"Congratulations to Bishop Neal (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) on joining teammate Kyle Harbridge (Easton, Pa./Easton Area) on the 2013 CFPA Watch List," stated CFPA Executive Director Brad Smith. "After a productive 2012 season, Neal will be one of the nation's top linebackers to watch in 2013."

Neal finished the 2012 season with 76 tackles and a pair of interceptions.  Five of his tackles were for a loss, including a seven-yard sack against Monmouth.  The then-sophomore also broke up five passes.

In a win over Bryant, Neal racked up 13 stops, and interception and a pass breakup to earn NEC Defensive Player of the Week, SN National Defensive Player of the Week, ECAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

All CFPA recipients are selected exclusively based upon objective scientific rankings of the extent to which individual players increase the overall effectiveness of their teams. All players are eligible for awards at their respective positions; players are not preemptively eliminated from consideration.

The full list of 2013 recipients, including the 2013 CFPA FCS Awards, will be announced on January 8, 2014.