Auburn football: Tracking every award list, All-SEC selection, freak and speedster
By Rob Maxwell
Bednarik Award
The Chuck Bednarik Award is given to the nation’s defensive player of the year and has been handed out every year since 1995.
Last season, Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick won the award, making it two consecutive seasons an Alabama player has received the Bednarik. Jonathan Allen won it in 2016. Five players from the SEC have won it, but no Auburn player has received it.
Two Auburn players made the Bednarik watch list, but they’re probably not the two most people would guess. Dontavius Russell and Javaris Davis earned the preseason recognition.
While an Auburn football players has never won the award, Nick Fairley was a finalist in 2010 when LSU defensive back Patrick Peterson won it.
Semifinalists will be announced Oct. 29 and three finalists will be named Nov. 19. The winner will be announced Dec. 6 at the Home Depot College Football Awards show.