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Award watchlist season continues! On Monday morning, Miami Hurricanes S Jaquan Johnson and LB Shaquille Quarterman were named to the Bednarik Award watchlist for 2018.
Here’s more from Miami Athletics:
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. Chuck Bednarik, former standout at Penn and with the Philadelphia Eagles, is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of ‘69 and the NFL Hall of Fame’s Class of ‘67.
One of the best safeties in America a season ago, Johnson decided to return for his senior season after being named a Second-Team All-America bySports Illustrated and the AFCA in 2017. He led the Hurricanes with 96 total tackles a season ago, and also tied for the team lead with four interceptions. A Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist and a three-time ACC Defensive Back of the week honoree, Johnson has totaled 160 tackles, four forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and six interceptions in 39 career games – he has not missed a game since arriving to Coral Gables in January 2015.
A Freshman All-America and an All-ACC selection two seasons ago, Quarterman has been a key contributor for Miami since arriving on campus as a midyear enrollee in January of 2016. The Orange Park, Fla., native has started all 26 games since arriving on campus and in just two seasons, has piled up 167 total tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, six passes defended and two fumble recoveries. He was named a second-team All-ACC selection as a sophomore.
The Miami Hurricanes one Bednarik winner in program history: linebacker Dan Morgan (2000) is Miami’s only Bednarik Award recipient.
Having Johnson and Quarterman placed on the Bednarik Award watchlist is expected for players of their caliber. Each is among the very best players at their respective positions nationally, and have a wealth of experience and demonstrated excellence to their credit.
For Miami to keep flashing the Turnover Chain and be a strong defense, both Johnson and Quarterman will need to continue their elite levels of play. Based upon what has been seen from each of them in their college careers so far, there’s no reason to think they’ll do anything but continue to be ballers, which is a good thing if you’re a Miami fan.