Van Noy added to Bednarik Award Watch List

The Maxwell Football Club today announced the expansion of its 2012 Watch Lists for both the 76th Maxwell Award and the 18th Chuck Bednarik Award.  The original lists were comprised of 65 players, who were selected based on their performances during the 2011 season. As the 2012 season has progressed, the Club believes that several additional players warrant attention because of their noteworthy play. 

BYU junior linebacker Kyle Van Noy is one of 12 players added to the Bednarik Award Watch List due to outstanding play over the first four weeks of the season. Van Noy has helped BYU rank No. 7 in the nation in total defense over the first four games while personally ranking tied for 10th and 13th nationally in tackles for loss (7.5) and sacks (4.5), respectively. The Chuck Bednarik Award is awarded annually to the nation's top defensive player. 

The Maxwell Award has been presented to the outstanding collegiate football player in America since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert W. “Tiny” Maxwell. The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented since 1995 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik. Mr. Bednarik is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame 69’ and the NFL Hall of Fame 67’.  

Andrew Luck of Stanford University was the recipient of the 75th Maxwell Award and Tyrann Mathieu from LSU was awarded the 17th Chuck Bednarik Award for their outstanding performances during the 2011 season. Luck is the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts and Mathieu is not participating in football this season.  

Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced on October 29th and three finalists for each award will be announced November 19th. The winners of the 2012 Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be held on December 6th. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Harrah’s Entertainment Atlantic City on March 1, 2013.  

BYU is also represented on the Maxwell Award Watch List with quarterback Riley Nelson being selected to the initial watch list. Thirteen additional players have been added to the Maxwell Watch List based on their outstanding play.  The watch list candidates have been chosen by the Maxwell Football Club’s Selection Committee and the Maxwell Club reserves the right to make additions and subtractions to these lists as the 2012 season unfolds. All members of the Maxwell Football Club, NCAA Sports Information Directors, Head Coaches and selected national media are eligible to vote for these awards.

Chuck Bednarik Award — Watch List Additions