PHILADELPHIA -- The Mid-American Conference was represented on the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List by Akron defensive lineman CJ Nunnally IV, Bowling Green cornerback Jordan Oladokun, Miami's Matt Salopek and Toledo's Maxen Hook. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in the nation.
This marks the third preseason watch list selection for Oladokun (Jim Thorpe Award and Wuerffel Trophy) and Hook (Bronko Nagurski and Jim Thorpe), while Nunnally IV and Salopek reeled in their second preseason watch list nod after landing on the Bronko Nagurki Trophy watch list on July 30.
Nunnally earned First-Team All-Mid-American Conference accolades a season ago after playing in all 12 games for the Zips. Nunnally finished regular season play ranked second in the MAC in tackles for loss (15.5) for a total of 69 yards of loss, posting 10.5 TFL in league play. In addition, he ranked fifth in the MAC with seven sacks for 44 yards of loss and four sacks coming in conference games.
On the national landscape, Nunnally ranked 18th overall in tackles for loss (1.3 per game) and 44th in sacks (0.58 per game). He led Akron in both categories, ranking fourth on the team in total tackles (65), including a third-best 35 solo takedowns. He added eight QB hurries, two pass break-ups and one forced fumble. Nunnally registered a season-best three tackles for loss and two sacks against Morgan State and Buffalo.
Oladokun was a second-team All-MAC honoree in 2023 and a Hero Sports Group of Five first-team All-American. Oladokun is one of eight FBS players returning in 2024 who finished the 2023 season with 4+ interceptions, 30+ tackles, 6+ PBUs, and at least one pick-6. Oladokun is also a nominee for the AllState AFCA Good Works Team.
Salopek has 392 tackles (11th in school history), 25.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and one interception in 45 career games. The sixth-year senior was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and has earned All-MAC honors in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He has 100-plus tackles in three straight seasons and could become the first RedHawk in program history with four-straight 100-tackle seasons.
Hook is a three-time All-MAC safety who had a big year in 2023 despite missing five games due to injury. He had 70 tackles and led the team with three interceptions, earning first-team All-MAC honors for the second year in a row.
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.
The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed metrics and performance-based assessments to selection committee staff, with several senior PFF analysts are members of our selection committee. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine.
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced November 12, 2024, while the three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be unveiled November 26, 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.
MACtion on Preseason Watch Lists
Maxwell Award Watch List
Terion Stewart | RB| Bowling Green
Antario Brown | RB | Northern Illinois
Outland Trophy Award Watch List
Jacob Gideon | C | Western Michigan
Reid Holskey | OT | Miami
Alex Wollschlaeger | OT | Bowling Green
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Maxen Hook | S | Toledo
CJ Nunnally IV | DE | Akron
Matt Salopek | LB | Miami
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Maxen Hook | S | Toledo
Donte Kent | DB | Central Michigan
Jordan Oladokun | CB | Bowling Green
Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Jordan Oladokun | CB | Bowling Green
Taji Johnson | WR | Buffalo
Dominic Serapiglia | OL | Central Michigan
David Carter Jr. | DB | Eastern Michigan
Cameron Golden | OT | Kent State
Cade Haberman | DT | Northern Illinois
Michael Denning | PK | Toledo
Boone Bonnema | LB | Western Michigan
Hornung Award Watch List
Marion Lukes | RB | Central Michigan
Trayvon Rudolph | WR | Northern Illinois
Jacquez Stuart | WR | Toledo
Ray Guy Award Watch List
Alec Bevelhimer | P | Miami
Mitchell Tomasek | P | Eastern Michigan
Walter Camp Player of the Year Award Watch List
Terion Stewart | RB| Bowling Green
Antario Brown | RB | Northern Illinois
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Terion Stewart | RB| Bowling Green
Antario Brown | RB | Northern Illinois
Marion Lukes | RB | Central Michigan
Jalen Buckley | RB | Western Michigan
Comeback Player of the Year Award Watch List
Demetrius Hardamon | LB | Bowling Green
Jake Orlando | TE | Buffalo
Brett Gabbert | QB | Miami
Jack Coldiron | TE | Miami
Davey O’Brien Award Watch List
Brett Gabbert | QB | Miami
Rimington Trophy Award Watch List
Jacob Gideon | C | Western Michigan
John Mackey Award Watch List
Harold Fannin Jr. | TE | Bowling Green
Anthony Torres | TE | Toledo
Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
CJ Nunnally IV | DE | Akron
Jordan Oladokun | CB | Bowling Green
Matt Salopek | LB | MIami
Maxen Hook | S | Toledo
