SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. — UTSA senior Rashad Wisdom has been named to the preseason watch list for the 28th Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.
Wisdom, a safety from Converse Judson High School, is one of 90 players — including one of four from Conference USA — on the watch list for the award presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football.
Last week, Wisdom was named C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and landed on preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy — which goes to the best defensive player in college football — and the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award — which is awarded to college football's top defensive back. He also was unveiled as a nominee for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which honors student-athletes with exemplary community service, academic dedication and impact on and off the field.
A two-time all-conference performer at safety, Wisdom has paced the Roadrunners in total tackles in each of the past two seasons, helping guide UTSA to 19 wins, a conference championship and a pair of bowl games during that timeframe. A two-time Dave Campbell's Texas Football All-Texas College Team selection, he has registered 227 tackles, 158 solo stops, 12 tackles for loss, five interceptions, four forced fumbles, a pair of sacks and a fumble recovery. He has returned two of his interceptions for touchdowns, which is tied for the school record.
Last season, Wisdom recorded 88 tackles, 67 solo stops, four tackles for loss, six pass breakups and a forced fumble to help lead UTSA to a 12-2 record, the C-USA title, the program's first top-25 ranking and the Frisco Bowl. He logged 10-plus tackles three times, including a season-high 13 in the 52-46 road win over Western Kentucky.
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 1, while the three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 22. The winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 8. The formal presentations of the award will be made at the 86th Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala live from Atlantic City, New Jersey, on March 10, 2023.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik who was an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All-Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
UTSA will open its 12th season of play and third under 2021 C-USA Coach of the Year Jeff Traylor on Sept. 3 against Houston. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. at the Alamodome in a game that will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network.
Tickets are on sale now by calling or texting 210-458-UTSA (8872) or visiting goUTSA.com.
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