TORONTO -- A record-setting performance earned Edmonton Eskimos linebacker J.C. Sherritt the CFL's top defensive player award.
The second-year player claimed the honour Thursday at the league's awards banquet and topped the voting by members of the Football Reporters of Canada and the eight CFL head coaches.
Montreal Alouettes linebacker Shea Emry was a finalist for the award.
Sherritt was a sparkplug all season for the Eskimos, registering a league-record 130 tackles along with three sacks and five interceptions.
However, he missed Edmonton's playoff loss to Toronto in the East Division semifinal due to a foot injury.
Emry, a native of Richmond, B.C., had a career-best 87 tackles this season with seven sacks.
The CFL awards are sponsored by Gibson's Finest.
