Elijah Roberts earns spot on Bednarik Award watch list

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Elijah Roberts Earns Spot On Bednarik Award Watch List

PHILADELPHIA (SMU) – SMU defensive end Elijah Roberts has been named to the Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Monday.

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 player 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.

Roberts earns the accolade following a breakout season in 2023 during which he started all 14 games. He recorded 37 tackles, 21 solo, and led the team in sacks with 10.0 while helping to anchor the defense as SMU won its first conference title since 1984. Following his senior year, he was named to the All-AAC Second Team, along with other honors.

The graduate student has already earned recognition prior to the 2024 season. He has been named Dave Campbell's Texas Football Best Defensive Lineman along with being added to the All-Texas First Team Defense. He also has earned a pair of preseason All-ACC honors, being tabbed to the Athlon Sports Third Team Defense and the Phil Steele Fourth Team.

Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced November 12, 2024. The winners of the 30th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 12, 2024. The formal presentations of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday March 14, 2025 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.