Alabama's McKinstry, Turner named to Bednarik Award watch list
The Chuck Bednarik Award announced its preseason watch list on Monday, wrapping up two weeks of reveals, and Alabama was represented with two of its top players making the cut.
Crimson Tide defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry and linebacker Dallas Turner were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list. Associated with the Maxwell Football Club, the Bednarik Award is annually presented to the best defensive player in college football. The award is named after Hall of Fame linebacker Chuck Bednarik, who was a two-time NFL champion and 10-time first-team All-Pro selection for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949-62.
McKinstry stepped into a full-time role as a starter in 2022 and was Alabama’s most consistent cornerback in a season where four different players logged first-team minutes. In addition to shutting down opposing receivers, he was also one of the nation’s top punt returners, finishing second in yards per return (15.86). He earned second-team All-American recognition as both a corner and return man. With several starters leaving the secondary, McKinstry will be called on to not only continue to play at an elite level but also lead the bevy of new guys.
After closing out the 2021 campaign as a starter, Turner was the Crimson Tide’s first-team Sam linebacker for the duration of the 2022 season, playing in all 13 games with nine starts. He didn’t put up the same numbers as his freshman year, finishing with eight tackles for loss and only four sacks, but Turner was still impactful with more tackles (37) and hurries (9) – and finding the end zone on a fumble return. With Will Anderson now a Houston Texan, Turner will be Alabama’s most experienced outside linebacker and will look to improve his stats in Year 3.
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Three former Alabama players have won the Bednarik Award, defensive lineman Jonathan Allen in 2015, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2017 and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. in 2022.
This marks the fifth watch list for McKinstry prior to the season, in addition to the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year. Turner was also named to the watch list for the Nagurski Trophy, which goes to the top defender.
Alabama players, coaches on preseason watch lists:
Lott IMPACT Trophy – Kool-Aid McKinstry, Malachi Moore
Dodd Trophy – Nick Saban
Maxwell Award – Jase McClellan
Patrick Mannelly Award – Kneeland Hibbett
Outland Trophy – Tyler Booker, JC Latham, Jaheim Oatis
Bronko Nagurski Trophy – Kool-Aid McKinstry, Malachi Moore, Dallas Turner
Lou Groza Award – Will Reichard
Wuerffel Trophy – Malachi Moore
John Mackey Award – CJ Dippre
Rimington Trophy – Seth McLaughlin
Butkus Award – Deontae Lawson
Jim Thorpe Award – Kool-Aid McKinstry
Walter Camp Player of the Year – Kool-Aid McKinstry
Chuck Bednarik Award – Kool-Aid McKinstry, Dallas Turner
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