Florida linebacker named to Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List

Florida football junior linebacker Shemar James was given a spot on the Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List — an award that honors college football’s defensive player of the year.

James was all over the field for the Gators defense last season. The Mobile, Alabama, native led the team in tackles (55.0) before missing the last four games due to a knee injury.

The linebacker is looking for a bounce-back season as he enters his third year with the Gators.

The Bednarik Award is named after linebacker and center Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik who played at the University of Pennsylvania as an All-American and later became a multiple-year All-Pro player for the Philadelphia Eagles. A member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame, Bednarik was the last NFL player to play both offense and defense full-time.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 12 and the three finalists on Nov. 26. The winner is set to be announced on Dec. 12 during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

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