Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. and defensive back Josh Jobe have been named to the 2021 Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia announced today.
The pair of defenders are among 90 players from around the country selected to the preseason list. Alabama has claimed the award twice with Jonathan Allen taking home the hardware in 2016 followed by Minkah Fitzpatrick a year later in 2017.
WILL ANDERSON JR.
Linebacker, Sophomore
- An elite edge defender who made his presence known across college football in 2020
- Returns for his second season with the Crimson Tide after being selected as the Shaun Alexander-FWAA Freshman of the Year and earning multiple Freshman All-America honors a season ago
- Started every game as a freshman, totaling 52 tackles including 10.5 for loss (-52 yards) and seven sacks (-39 yards), to go with a forced fumble and team-high eight quarterback hurries
- Ranked third in the SEC in sacks and tackles for loss at season’s end
- Applied 60 pressures (according to Pro Football Focus) through his 13 starts to lead the nation and more than double the next-closest freshman defender
JOSH JOBE
Defensive Back, Senior
- A talented corner in the Crimson Tide’s veteran defensive backfield
- Excelled in his first season as a full-time starter, earning Honorable Mention All-America honors from Pro Football Focus in 2020
- Totaled 55 tackles as a junior, including 2.5 for loss (-9 yards) and two sacks (-9 yards), while adding 11 pass breakups to go with two forced fumbles and one quarterback pressure
- Allowed one reception every 20.0 coverage snaps in 2020 to rank sixth nationally, according to PFF, and gave up just 26 receptions for 209 yards and one touchdown on 521 coverage snaps
- Began his career by playing in 14 games of the 2018 season before seeing time in 12 contests with two starts as a sophomore
The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented annually since 1995 by the Maxwell Football Club of Philadelphia to the top defensive player in college football. The award is named in honor of former college and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker Chuck Bednarik. The 2021 winner will be announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held in early December at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Ga.
This information was acquired via a recent press release.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
