LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. exceeded expectations as just a true freshman last year, and is expected to only continue to build off of that momentum in the 2020 college football season.
He led the league with six interceptions, ranked fifth nationally, and ranked second in the country with 21 passes defensed.
On Monday, Stingley, along with safety JaCoby Stevens and linebacker Jabril Cox were named to the Bednarik Award watch list for college football’s best defensive player.
Here’s a complete look at the list.
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Presenting our 2020 #BednarikAward Watch List for college football's best defensive player …
Fingers firmly crossed that we get to evaluate each and every one of you this fall… pic.twitter.com/KU5ERUr7DT
— Rich Cirminiello (@RichCirminiello) July 13, 2020
In 2019, Stevens recorded 85 tackles, ranked second on the team with five sacks, ranked third on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss and reeled in three interceptions.
Cox enters the team as a graduate transfer after being named a two-time All-American linebacker at North Dakota State, and recorded 258 tackles, 32 tackles for loss and 14 sacks over his career with the Bison.
If any player from this trio takes home the honors, they’ll become the third member of the LSU football team to do so since Tyrann Mathieu and Patrick Peterson went back-to-back in 2010 and 2011.
Ohio State pass rusher Chase Young won the award last year. Other past recipients include Aaron Donald, Ndamunkong Suh, Charles Woodson, Julius Peppers and Minkah Fitzpatrick.
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