ORLANDO, Fla. – After claiming the American Athletic Conference's Defensive Player of the Year award for a dominating 2016 season on the gridiron, redshirt senior linebacker Shaquem Griffin garnered another honor.
Named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list Monday, Griffin has the potential to join big names from the NFL who have previously won the award when the winner is announced on Dec. 7.
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With past winners including Patrick Peterson, Manti Te'o and Jonathan Allen, Griffin was nominated to the list after having a 2016 season that included 11.5 sacks, 20 tackles for loss, 92 total tackles, two forced fumbles, two recovered fumbles and an interception.
With the award going to the best defensive player in the country, the Chuck Bednarik award was named after the former Penn and Philadelphia Eagles standout. Named by the Maxwell Football Club, Bednarik is also a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Griffin, who will be representing UCF at the AAC media days on July 17-18 in Newport, Rhode Island, will look to lead the Knights in another successful campaign that follows a 6-7 season and bowl game appearance.
The semifinalists for the award will be announced Oct. 30, while the three finalists will be named Nov. 20. The winner will be announced during the Home Depot College Football Awards show.