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As the national award watch lists are announced throughout July, we’ll let you know which Group of 5 players are preseason candidates for them. The watch lists will come out each weekday from July 10 until July 21.
The first two lists were announced today, the Bednarik and Maxwell award watch lists. The Bednarik Award recognizes the best defensive player in the nation, while the Maxwell Award recognizes the best overall player.
Bednarik Award Watch List
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Sean Chandler, S - Temple Owls
Jaylon Ferguson, DE - Louisiana Tech Bulldogs
Shaquem Griffin, LB - UCF Knights
Heath Harding, CB - Miami RedHawks
Justin Lawler, DE - SMU Mustangs
David Moa, NT - Boise State Broncos
Deatrick Nichols, CB - South Florida Bulls
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Ed Oliver, DT - Houston Cougars
Malik Reed, DE - Nevada Wolf Pack
Ja’Von Rolland-Jones, DE - Arkansas State Red Wolves
Jahlani Tavai, LB - Hawaii Warriors
Micah Thomas, LB - Navy Midshipmen
Andrew Wingard, S - Wyoming Cowboys
Maxwell Award Watch List
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Josh Allen, QB - Wyoming Cowboys
D’Angelo Brewer, RB - Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Riley Ferguson, QB - Memphis Tigers
Quinton Flowers, QB - South Florida Bulls
James Gilbert, RB - Ball State Cardinals
Ray Lawry, RB - Old Dominion Monarchs
Jalin Moore, RB - Appalachian State Mountaineers
Ed Oliver, DT - Houston Cougars
Rashaad Penny, RB - San Diego State Aztecs
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Larry Rose III, RB - New Mexico State Aggies
Brett Rypien, QB - Boise State Broncos
Brandon Silvers, QB - Troy Trojans
Ito Smith, RB - Southern Miss Golden Eagles
Brent Stockstill, QB - Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Mike White, QB - Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Logan Woodside, QB - Toledo Rockets
Selections by conference:
AAC: Nine
C-USA: Five
Sun Belt: Four
Ed Oliver of Houston is the only G5 player to make both lists.
USF leads the way for the AAC with two selections, although Houston’s Ed Oliver made both lists. Memphis, Navy, SMU, Temple, Tulsa, and UCF each had one, as well.
For C-USA, Louisiana Tech, Middle Tennessee, Old Dominion, Southern Miss, and WKU each had one selection.
Finally, the Sun Belt had one selection each for Appalachian State, Arkansas State, New Mexico State, and Troy.
Last G5 Winners:
Bednarik: 2015 - Tyler Matakevich, Temple
Maxwell: 1990 - Ty Detmer, BYU