Tag: Chuck Bednarik Award

Locked on Longhorns Podcast: Award watchlist and campus changes updates

Locked on Longhorns podcast returns to discuss cancellations, moving the football seasons, watchlist updates and changes coming to campus.

The Monday edition of Locked on Longhorns returns to discuss the latest on the upcoming college football season. With conferences cancelling their non-conference schedules, does that help or hurt chances for a season? Medical experts believe it is a step in the right direction. Plus the junior colleges announcing they are going to a spring football schedule. Does that really help? What is the impact on college recruiting?

The latest college football award watchlist is out. Two Texas Longhorns defenders were named on the first list for the Chuck Bednarik Award given to the nation’s top defender. Joseph Ossai and Caden Sterns both looking for big seasons under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash. Plus they debate whether or not the Longhorns could win the ACC if they replaced Clemson. The Longhorns top receiving duo of last season received their Madden 21 ratings.

Bleacher Report recently released their top schools for “Defensive U”, so where do the Longhorns sit among the top schools of the last 50 years? An update on the Eyes of Texas and 247Sports bowl projections.

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Two Irish Defenders named to Bednarik Watch List

Two breakout performers from Notre Dame’s defense last year are among the 90 players included on the Bednarik Watch List.

In what was viewed as breakout seasons for two Notre Dame defenders last year, safety Kyle Hamilton and linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, the hype continues over into the 2020 season as both of them have been named on the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list.

The watch list consists of 90 of the best collegiate defenders in the nation, so there will surely be still competition for both Hamilton and Owusu-Koramoah if they want to bring award back to South Bend. The award began in 1995, with linebacker Manti Te’o as the only Notre Dame defender to win the award in 2012.

As a freshman, Hamilton put up impressive numbers in limited playing time, recording 41 tackles, grabbing 4 interceptions while taking one back for a touchdown with 6 passes defended. The Atlanta native sure showed some impressive ability for such a young player, and the expectations for bigger number this year is valid. Hamilton is expected to start in the defensive backfield.

Owusu-Koramoah was a bit of a different story than Hamilton, as he had to work his way into playing time as a junior. The wait was well worth it as the linebacker exploded on the scene with 80 tackles, 5.5 sacks along with 2 forced fumbles and two recoveries. If the rising senior continues his progression, a huge season is in line for JOK.

Both of them are seen as impact players on Clark Lea’s defense and keys to the upcoming 2020 season. With the offense having to replace all the starters from the skill positions, the defense will need to step up early to give that side of the ball a cushion while they figure things out.

Badger linebacker on the watch list for the 2020 Chuck Bednarik Award

The watch list for the 2020 Chuck Bednarik Award–the award given to the defensive player of the year in college football–dropped today…

The watch list for the 2020 Chuck Bednarik Award–the award given to the defensive player of the year in college football–dropped today and Wisconsin junior linebacker Jack Sanborn was included on the list.

Sanborn will be looking to become the first Badger to ever win the award in its 26 year history, that obviously if the Wisconsin Badgers are able to play football this fall.

The Illinois native enters the season after an impressive 2019 campaign during which he recorded 80 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, 5.5 sacks, three interceptions and one forced fumble.

With Chris Orr now gone to the NFL Sanborn is in line to become the “quarterback” on defensive and lead Jim Leonhard’s unit as they try to recreate what was an impressive 2019 campaign.

Notable names to recently win the award include Ohio State’s Chase Young, Alabama’s Minkah Fitzpatrick, Pittsburgh’s Aaron Donald, LSU’s Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson and Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh.

Chase Young wins 2019 Bednarik Award

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young has added another award to his trophy case by taking home the 2019 Chuck Bednarik Award.

Tonight was the 2019 Home Depot College Football Awards Show and there were plenty of Ohio State players on hand hoping to have their name called. Unfortunately for guys like Justin Fields, Jeff Okudah, and J.K. Dobbins, they didn’t get the awards they were up for. But one guy did take one home, and that was none other than defensive end Chase Young whose trophy case continues to expand.

After leading the country in tackles for loss per game, as well as sacks with 16.5 total, Young was named the 2019 Chuck Bednarik award winner. The award was first handed out in 1995 and goes to college football’s best defender annually.  He beat out defensive tackle Derrick Brown of Auburn and Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons.

Despite all the talent that has come through the OSU program, Young is the first player from Ohio State to win the award. He now has won not only the Bednarik, but the Bronko Nagurski, Ted Hendricks, Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football, and also was named the Big Ten’s best defensive lineman and defensive player of the year.

Young is still a finalist for the Heisman and will be in New York for that ceremony, but LSU’s Joe Burrow is expected to win that one going away.