West Virginia University football senior safety Karl Joseph was named today to the watch list for the 21st annual Bednarik Award, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club.

 

The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. Chuck Bednarik, former standout at Penn and with the Philadelphia Eagles, is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame's Class of '69 and the NFL Hall of Fame's Class of '67.

 

“I consider Karl a throwback to the days of hard-nosed football when fundamentals were at the forefront and every player wanted to learn and get them right," says WVU defensive coordinator Tony Gibson. “He comes to practice every day with the goal to improve. He wants to win football games and prepares for hours each week no matter the opponent and is never afraid to ask what he did wrong or how he can improve to be a better player, leader and teammate.

 

"This is a good honor for Karl as he prepares for his senior season. His work ethic has paid off. He is always around the ball and each of the past three years, he has been among our leaders in tackles, big plays and consistency. I love his competitive spirit, but I also admire his work ethic as a student and being a good teammate."

 

Joseph earned All-Big 12 Conference First Team honors last season after finishing with 92 tackles, including 62 solo stops, 4.5 tackles for loss, a team-leading three forced fumbles, an interception and three pass breakups. He finished with five or more tackles in eight games and five or more solo tackles in six games.

 

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced in early November 2015, while the three finalists will be unveiled November 23. The winner of the 2015 Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2015. The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 11, 2016. 

 

The watch list candidates have been chosen by the Maxwell Football Club's selection committee, which analyzes past performance and future potential. The Club reserves the right to make additions and deletions to these lists as the 2015 season unfolds. All members of the Maxwell Football Club, NCAA sports information directors, FBS head coaches and selected national media are eligible to vote for the awards.

 

Editor's Note: Photo courtesy of WVU Sports Communications; photo by Pete Emerson.