Ole Miss’ Robert Nkemdiche has been named one of 20 semifinalists for the 21st Chuck Bednarik Award, which goes to the Outstanding College Defensive Player of the Year.
The semifinalists, as selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee, were announced Monday by Maxwell Football Club President Ron Jaworski.
A 6-foot-4, 296-pound junior defensive tackle, Nkemdiche has anchored the Rebels’ Landshark defense this season, while also providing some punch on offense. On defense, he has compiled 21 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. His constant pressure in opposing backfields helps the Ole Miss defense share the SEC lead with 12 interceptions and rank second in the league with 17 takeaways.
The Loganville, Georgia, native has moonlighted in the offensive backfield as well. He has scored three touchdowns – two rushing, one receiving – as a member of the Rebels’ “jumbo” package for short-yardage situations. He has also blocked a field goal and protects the Ole Miss punters on the punt unit.
Nkemdiche is among 16 players who are making their debuts as Bednarik Award semifinalists. Defensive ends Joey Bosa (Ohio State) and Shilique Calhoun (Michigan State) join cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III (Florida) and linebacker Jaylon Smith (Notre Dame) as repeat semifinalists from a season ago.
Last season, the Bednarik Award went to linebacker Scooby Wright of Arizona.
Nkemdiche is the first Ole Miss semifinalist for the award since Patrick Willis in 2006.
The winner of the 21st Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast on ESPN on Dec. 10, 2015 from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. Three finalists for each award will be announced Nov. 24, 2015 and a second round of voting will take place at that time.
The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club’s 79th Awards Gala on Friday, March 11, 2016 at the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Semifinalist voting for both the Maxwell Award and Bednarik Award will begin on Thursday, Nov. 5 and close on Sunday, Nov. 22. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA Head Football Coaches, Sports Information Directors and selected national media.
The Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik Awards are members of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. The 21 awards boast 720 years of tradition-selection excellence. Visit www.NCFAA.org to learn more.
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2015 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists:
Kendell Beckwith, LB, LSU, Junior
Andrew Billings, NT, Baylor, Junior
Joey Bosa, DE, Ohio State, Junior
Jonathan Bullard, DE, Florida, Senior
Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State, Senior
Jeremy Cash, S, Duke, Senior
Su’a Cravens, LB, USC, Junior
Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&M, Sophomore
Vernon Hargreaves III, CB, Florida, Junior
Shaq Lawson, DE, Clemson, Junior
Jourdan Lewis, CB, Michigan, Junior
Tyler Matakevich, LB, Temple, Senior
Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State, Senior
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Ole Miss, Junior
Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State, Junior
Reggie Ragland, LB, Alabama, Senior
Jalen Ramsey, CB, Florida State, Junior
A’Shawn Robinson, DL, Alabama, Junior
Joe Schobert, LB, Wisconsin, Senior
Jaylon Smith, LB, Notre Dame, Junior
Courtesy of Ole Miss Sports
