Georgia lands three on Bednarik Award watchlist
Another day, another watchlist, another group of Georgia Bulldogs being considered among the nation’s best.
Today, the Maxwell Football Club released its watchlist for the 28th Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation’s ‘most outstanding defensive player’, and the usual suspects for Georgia made the cut.
In fact, the same three were on the list for the Nagurski Award, which Palmer Thombs covered here.
Defensive tackle Jalen Carter
Already on the list for the Outland, the Nagurski, and the Walter Camp Awards, Carter has played in all 25 of Georgia’s games over the last two seasons, starting four of them. During that time, he has 51 tackles to his name including 11.5 for loss and 3.0 sacks. Of those, 37 tackles, 8.5 for loss and all 3.0 sacks came last season. His tackles for loss total was third-best on the team while his 33 quarterback pressures was good for second.
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Cornerback Kelee Ringo
Ringo, who’s already been named to the Thorpe and Nagurski watchlists, played in all 15 games last season, starting the final 12 after taking over the spot from Ameer Speed. He finished with 34 stops, eight pass breakups (second-best on the team) and two interceptions. His best games came on the biggest stage, taking down Kentucky ball carriers seven times, a career-best, including a sack in a win over a top-15 team during the month of October. He had six stops against Alabama and five versus Florida. This all came in his first season of action as Ringo redshirted in 2020, missing the entire year due to injury.
Outside linebacker Nolan Smith
The No. 1-ranked recruit in the Class of 2019, who’s found himself on the list for the Nagurski as well, played in 14 of Georgia’s 15 games last season, starting all 14 that he saw action in. He finished fifth on the team in tackles with 56 stops including 9.0 tackles for loss – second on the team – and 3.5 sacks along with 27 quarterback pressures. Smith played some of his best football down the stretch, posting a team-high and career-best eight tackles in Georgia’s Capital One Orange Bowl victory over Michigan in the College Football Playoff semifinals. He also had a career-high seven quarterback pressures in the win against the Wolverines. Smith was twice named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week in 2021, first after his game against South Carolina (career-high eight tackles, forced fumble, assist on a sack that resulted in a safety) and next after Georgia’s rivalry win over Florida (forced fumble, fumble recovery and an interception all within a 39-second span at the end of the second quarter).
Other Georgia Players on Watch Lists
Stetson Bennett – Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award
Brock Bowers – Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award, John Mackey Award, Walter Camp Award
Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Dick Butkus Award
Warren Ericson – Outland Trophy
Arik Gilbert – John Mackey Award
Kearis Jackson – Wuerffel Trophy
Broderick Jones – Outland Trophy
Jack Podlesny – Lou Groza Award
Christopher Smith – Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Nolan Smith – Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Sedrick Van Pran – Rimington Trophy
Darnell Washington – John Mackey Award
