Robenson Therezie named to Bednarik Award Watch List

AUBURN -- Robenson Therezie's breakout season in 2013 is being recognized as the 2014 season approaches.

Auburn's "star" safety was among the 76 players named to the Watch List for the 20th annual Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the Defensive Player of the Year, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday morning.

Therezie made 57 tackles and had a team-high four interceptions last season and was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year.

Named for college football and NFL Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik, the Bednarik Award has been presented to the college Defensive Player of the Year since 1995.

Three of last season's Bednarik Award semifinalists return in Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley, Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and USC defensive end Leonard Williams.

Georgia landed three linebackers on the list in Leonard Floyd, Jordan Jenkins, and Ramik Wilson while Stanford leads all teams with four players represented.

Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald won the Chuck Bednarik Award last season.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced November 3, and the three finalists will be revealed November 24. The winner of the 2014 Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 11, with the formal presentations of the Bednarik and Maxwell Award to be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Revel Casino Hotel Atlantic City on March 6, 2015.

The watch list candidates have been chosen by the Maxwell Football Club's selection committee, which analyzes both past performance and future potential. 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.