GREENSBORO, N.C.—A total of 14 Atlantic Coast Conference
defensive players have been selected to the preseason watch list for the
Bednarik Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive
player, while 11 ACC players have been chosen to the preseason watch list for
the Maxwell Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate
player.
Both awards are presented by the Maxwell Club which
announced its watch lists for the 79th annual Maxwell Award and the 21st annual
Chuck Bednarik Award.
The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W.
"Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to America's College Player of the
Year since 1937. Maxwell's contributions to the game of football were
extensive, including time as a player, a sportswriter and an official. The
Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year
since 1995. Chuck Bednarik, former standout at Penn and with the Philadelphia
Eagles, is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame's Class of '69
and the NFL Hall of Fame's Class of '67.
Pitt’s Aaron Donald was the last ACC player to capture the
Bednarik Award, as the Panthers former defensive defensive tackle took the
honor in 2013. Florida State quarterback Charlie Ward was the last ACC player
to win the Maxwell in 1993, though Miami’s Ken Dorsey took home the honor in
2001.
Six ACC quarterbacks made the Maxwell list, including
Deshaun Watson of Clemson, Justin Thomas of Georgia Tech, Brad Kaaya of Miami,
Marquise Williams of North Carolina, Jacoby Brissett of NC State and former
Notre Dame starter Everett Golson who transferred to Florida State after
graduating.
Five ACC defensive backs who will be competing for the Jim
Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back also made the preseason
Bednarik list in Mackensie Alexander of Clemson, Jeremy Cash of Duke, Jalen
Ramsey of Florida State, Quin Blanding of Virginia and Kendall Fuller of
Virginia Tech.
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