Alongside the Maxwell Award watch list, the Maxwell Football Club (MFC) unveiled the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list.
Founded in 1995, the Bednarik Award recognizes college football's best defensive player. However, a defensive player can win the Maxwell Award, which is given to the game's best player overall.
The Maxwell Award has gone to a QB 11 of the past 12 years, but the one time a non-QB won the honor, it went to Manti Te'o, a linebacker.
Here are some of the more notable favorites for the Bednarik Award, click here for the Maxwell favorites.
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State
He is a unanimous All-American and the Big Ten's reigning defensive player of year and he would be hard to deny the award if he can build on his impressive output last season.
Scooby Wright III, LB, Arizona
The reigning Bednarik Award winner is back to defend his title. Wright is first and foremost a tackling machine, much like Te'o but without the knack for picking off passes. Like Bosa, Wright is a perpetual backfield threat.
Myles Jack, LB, UCLA
Jack is a great athlete and a solid tackler, which should allow him to stand out this season at the les-than-flashy inside linebacker position. Jack took carries as a running back in each of the last two seasons. His speed and athleticism will give him the ability to disrupt passes and chase down running backs in the open field.
