Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Keith Kountz
Justin Rice named to Bednarik Award watch list
7/13/2020 8:00:00 AM | Football
2020 Bednarik Award Watch List (PDF)
PHILADELPHIA – Fresno State senior linebacker Justin Rice was named to the watch list for the 26th annual Chuck Bednarik Award, announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Monday. The award has recognized the collegiate defensive player of the year since 1995, last honoring Ohio State's Chase Young for the 2019 season.
Rice's inclusion to the 2020 Bednarik Award watch list signifies three-straight years a Bulldog linebacker has been revealed a name to watch for the annual defensive player of the year award. A year ago, Rice's 2019 first-team All-Mountain West linebacker counterpart Mykal Walker was named to the Bednarik Award preseason watch list as well as defensive back Juju Hughes. In 2018, linebacker Jeff Allison was selected Fresno State's first Bednarik watch list nominee since defensive back Derron Smith in 2014.
For more information about the Bednarik Award, visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.
A glance at Rice:
In addition to the Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Award watch list (America's College Player of the Year) will be unveiled on July 24. The Bednarik and Maxwell Awards, of the Maxwell Football Club, are members of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced November 3, 2020, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 23, 2020. The winner of the 2020 Bednarik Awards will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2020. The formal presentations of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 12, 2021.
The following is the entire 2020 preseason watch list calendar:
Monday, July 13: Bednarik Award
Tuesday, July 14: Davey O'Brien Award
Wednesday, July 15: Doak Walker Award
Thursday, July 16: Biletnikoff Award
Friday, July 17: Mackey Award
Monday, July 20: Thorpe Award & Butkus Award
Tuesday, July 21: Outland Trophy & Nagurski Award
Wednesday, July 22: Groza Award & Ray Guy Award
Thursday, July 23: Hornung Award & Wuerffel Trophy
Friday, July 24: Maxwell Award
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
PHILADELPHIA – Fresno State senior linebacker Justin Rice was named to the watch list for the 26th annual Chuck Bednarik Award, announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Monday. The award has recognized the collegiate defensive player of the year since 1995, last honoring Ohio State's Chase Young for the 2019 season.
Rice's inclusion to the 2020 Bednarik Award watch list signifies three-straight years a Bulldog linebacker has been revealed a name to watch for the annual defensive player of the year award. A year ago, Rice's 2019 first-team All-Mountain West linebacker counterpart Mykal Walker was named to the Bednarik Award preseason watch list as well as defensive back Juju Hughes. In 2018, linebacker Jeff Allison was selected Fresno State's first Bednarik watch list nominee since defensive back Derron Smith in 2014.
For more information about the Bednarik Award, visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.
A glance at Rice:
- Named a 2019 All-Mountain West first team selection.
- Racked up 112 total tackles to lead Fresno State and rank third in the Mountain West in '19.
- Ranked fourth in the MW with 9.3 tackles per game; also good for 21st-most in the FBS in '19.
- He was one of 13 players in the FBS to force four fumbles or better, and one of three players to accomplish that feat playing in 12 games or less in '19.
- Caused six total turnovers, snagging two interceptions in addition to four forced fumbles in '19.
- Recovered two fumbles and returned one for a touchdown versus UNLV on Oct. 18, 2019. It was the first time a Bulldog returned a fumble recovery since 2013.
- Owned second-most TFLs on the team with seven in '19; also had two sacks.
In addition to the Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Award watch list (America's College Player of the Year) will be unveiled on July 24. The Bednarik and Maxwell Awards, of the Maxwell Football Club, are members of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the association.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced November 3, 2020, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 23, 2020. The winner of the 2020 Bednarik Awards will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2020. The formal presentations of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 12, 2021.
The following is the entire 2020 preseason watch list calendar:
Monday, July 13: Bednarik Award
Tuesday, July 14: Davey O'Brien Award
Wednesday, July 15: Doak Walker Award
Thursday, July 16: Biletnikoff Award
Friday, July 17: Mackey Award
Monday, July 20: Thorpe Award & Butkus Award
Tuesday, July 21: Outland Trophy & Nagurski Award
Wednesday, July 22: Groza Award & Ray Guy Award
Thursday, July 23: Hornung Award & Wuerffel Trophy
Friday, July 24: Maxwell Award
"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.
Players Mentioned
Post-Game Press Conference [9/13]
Sunday, September 14
Instant Highlights: Fresno State 56, Southern 7
Saturday, September 13
FB heroes night hype video
Friday, September 12
FB Media Availability [9/9]: Ezekiel Avit, Jadon Pearson, Tim Thomas
Tuesday, September 09