Nick Bosa tops Bednarik Award watch list, but he’s not the only big name

In addition to the Maxwell Award, the Bednarik Award watch list was announced this morning.

Watch list season is in full swing as college football returns in less than 50 days. This morning the Bednarik Award watch list was revealed. This award is given each year to the best defensive player in the country. Sportscasters, sports writers, and head coaches vote on this award each year.

Without further delay, here is a look at who made this year’s list:

Ulysees Gilbert, LB, Akron

Raekwon Davis, DE Alabama

Anfernee Jennings, LB, Alabama

Mack Wilson, LB, Alabama

De’Jon Harris, LB, Arkansas

Javaris Davis, CB, Auburn

Dontavius Russell, DT, Auburn

Tyler Horton, CB, Boise State

Zach Allen, DE, Boston College

Lukas Denis, S, Boston College

Khalil Hodge, LB, Buffalo

Clelin Ferrell, DE Clemson

Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson

Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson

Mark Gilbert, CB, Duke

Joe Giles-Harris, LB, Duke

Maxx Crosby, DE, Eastern Michigan

David Reese, LB, Florida

Azeez Al-Shaair, LB, Florida Atlantic

Brian Burns, DE, Florida State

Jeffrey Allison, LB, Fresno State

Deandre Baker, CB, Georgia

Ed Oliver, DT, Houston

Anthony Nelson, DE, Iowa

Brian Peavy, CB, Iowa State

Daniel Wise, DT, Kansas

Joe Dineen, LB, Kansas

Josh Allen, LB, Kentucky

Mike Edwards, S, Kentucky

Jaylon Ferguson, DE, Louisiana Tech

Greedy Williams, CB, LSU

Devin White, LB, LSU

Curtis Atkins, LB, Memphis

Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami

Jaquan Johnson, S, Miami

Chase Winovich, DE, Michigan

Rashan Gary, DE, Michigan

Devin Bush, LB, Michigan

Joe Bachie, LB, Michigan State

Thomas Barber, LB, Minnesota

Montez Sweat, LB, Mississippi State

Jeffery Simmons, NG, Mississippi State

Terry Beckner, DT, Missouri

Malik Reed, LB, Nevada

Sutton Smith, DE, Northern Illinois

Joe Gaziano, DE, Northwestern

Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern

Te’von Coney, LB, Notre Dame

Jerry Tillery, NG, Notre Dame

Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State

Justin Phillips, LB, Oklahoma State

Oshane Ximines, DE, Old Dominion

Jalen Jelks, DE, Oregon

Troy Dye, LB, Oregon

Shareef Miller, DE, Penn State

Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue

D.J. Wonnum, DE, South Carolina

Alijah Holder, CB, Stanford

Bobby Okereke, LB, Stanford

Ben Banogu, DE, TCU

Ty Summers, LB, Temple

Delvon Randall, S, Temple

Nigel Warrior, S, Tennessee

Breckyn Hager, LB, Texas

Gary Johnson, LB, Texas

Kingsley Keke, DT, Texas A&M

Tyrel Dodson, LB, Texas A&M

Dakota Allen, LB, Texas Tech

Trysten Hill, DT, UCF

Porter Gustin, LB, USC

Cameron Smith, LB, USC

Marvell Tell, S, USC

Julian Blackmon, CB, Utah

Bradlee Anae, DE, Utah

Charles Wright, LB, Vanderbilt

Juan Thornhill, S, Virginia

Ricky Walker, DT, Virginia Tech

Greg Gaines, DT, Washington

Taylor Rapp, S, Washington

Jalen Thompson, S, Washington State

David Long, LB, West Virginia

T.J. Edwards, LB, Wisconsin

D’Cota Dixon, S, Wisconsin

Carl Granderson, DE, Wyoming

Andrew Wingard, S, Wyoming

Alabama, Michigan, Clemson and USC feature the most players with three each. Nick Bosa and Christian Wilkins are named to their second preseason watch list after both made the Maxwell Award watch list.

Last year’s winner was Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick also took home the Jim Thorpe Award and was drafted 11th overall by the Miami Dolphins. NFL stars such as Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, and Aaron Donald have also won the award.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on October 29th with the finalists being unveiled November 19th. The committee will reveal the winner on December 6th during the college football awards show.