FSU and Florida Players Named to Bednarik Award Watch List

Nov 9, 2013; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. (6) rushes against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Both the Florida State Seminoles and Florida Gators each have two players named to the Bednarik Award watch list.

The Bednarik Award is given to the college defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club.

FSU’s defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. and cornerback P.J. Williams are both named to the watch list.

Edwards had 28 tackles last year as a member of the national title winning Seminoles. He also had 3.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss.

Williams tallied 35 tackles while also hauling in three interceptions, including one in the BCS title game against Auburn, in which he was named defensive MVP of the game. He led the defense in pass break-ups (7) and passes defended (10) during the season.

Florida’s two representatives are defensive end/linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. and corner Vernon Hargreaves III.

Fowler was named to the All-SEC second team for 2013 after recording 50 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He also had 10.5 tackles for loss and was a member of the College Football News All-Sophomore team.

Hargreaves had an impressive freshman campaign where he was named a Third Team All-American by the Associated Press and was voted the National Defensive Freshman of the Year by College Football News. He had 38 tackles and three interceptions over the course of the season and was one of the most impressive freshmen in college football.

The 2013 winner was Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald.