Tag: bednarik

Two Georgia players named semifinalists for Bednarik Award

Georgia is the only team in the nation with two players as semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player.

Two Georgia Bulldogs have been named among the 18 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s best defensive player.

Georgia is the only team in the nation with two players on the list. Defensive lineman Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean are the two Dawgs recognized as semifinalists.

Both Davis and Dean have been outstanding for Georgia’s top ranked defense this year.

Davis, at 6-foot-6, 340 pounds, has become a household name among college football fans this year for his size, athleticism and overall domination. The stats are not there for Davis, but anyone who has watched a Georgia game this season is aware of the difference he makes.

Dean may not be as well-known of a name yet outside of the DawgNation, but he’s getting the job and had one of his best games of the year on Saturday against Florida. He recorded seven tackles, had a quarterback hurry that led to an interception and had a pick-six to close out the first half in Georgia’s win. Dean ranks second on the team in tackles and sacks.

Sooners defensive end Ronnie Perkins makes Bednarik watch list

Junior defensive end Ronnie Perkins was named to the 2020 Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list on Monday. 

Junior defensive end Ronnie Perkins was named to the 2020 Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list on Monday.

The Bednarik Award honors the best defensive player in the country each season. Teddy Lehman (2003) is the only Sooner to take home the award in its 25-year history.

Perkins has been an immediate impact on the defense since he arrived, racking up 5 sacks and 37 tackles in his true freshman season.

He followed that up with 6 sacks, 38 tackles and a forced fumble last year.

While there’s little doubt that Perkins’ performance will live up to the hype this season, his chances to win the award depend largely on how many games he gets to play.

Perkins, alongside RB Rhamondre Stevenson and WR Trejan Bridges, was suspended in December following a failed drug test.

After sitting out the peach bowl, the trio was expected to miss the first five games of 2020.

Oklahoma has since submitted an appeal which has yet to be processed. At the moment, the status of the suspension is still up in the air.

Perkins was a four-star recruit and the top player out of Missouri per 247Sports, who listed him as the No. 66 player in his class (No. 5 weak-side defensive end).

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