Nittany Lions get three on Bednarik watch list | News, Sports, Jobs

Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half of the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Notre Dame, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) tackles Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton (10) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson is tackled by Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris (4) during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis (9) carries after intercepting a ball as he’s defended by Virginia wide receiver Malachi Fields (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh linebacker Rasheem Biles (31) returns an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Penn State defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (33) celebrates after intercepting a pass during the second half of the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Notre Dame, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State senior defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, senior defensive tackle Zane Durant and junior cornerback A.J. Harris were named to the Bednarik Award watch list on Monday.

The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually, by the Maxwell Football Club, to the outstanding defensive player in college football.

The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Bednarik, who was an All-American player at the University of Pennsylvania and an All-Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 11 and the three finalists for the award will be revealed on Nov. 25.

The winner will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on Dec. 11, 2025.

Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) tackles Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton (10) during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

Pitt recognition

PITTSBURGH — Pitt standouts Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club.

Louis, a redshirt junior linebacker, enters the 2025 campaign as one of the most decorated defenders in college football. The 2024 First Team All-American posted 101 tackles last season and led the Panthers with 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and four interception.

Biles, a junior linebacker, emerged as a key leader in Pitt’s defense in 2024, recording 82 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception (returned for a touchdown), one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and a team-high nine pass breakups.

Oregon wide receiver Tez Johnson is tackled by Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris (4) during the first half of the Big Ten championship NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis (9) carries after intercepting a ball as he’s defended by Virginia wide receiver Malachi Fields (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

Pittsburgh linebacker Rasheem Biles (31) returns an interception for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)