Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Martin Added to Bednarik Award Watchlist
Aug 12, 2024 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis linebacker Chandler Martin was named to the watch list for the 30th Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Monday. The Bednarik award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
Martin, a 2023 First Team All-AAC honoree and 2024 Phil Steele Preseason All-American, was a member of last season's 10-win squad that defeated Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and held the Cyclones to zero rushing yards. In addition to being named to the Bednarik Award watch list, Martin was tabbed to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (National Defensive Player of the Year) watch list July 30.
Martin started all 13 games for the Tigers a season ago and led the team with 95 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. The Lithonia, Georgia, native added two interceptions, two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery while his tackles-for-loss total ranked 17th in the nation and his 5.1 solo stops per game ranked 18th in FBS. Martin finished second in the conference in tackles for loss and sixth in total tackles in 2023.
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.
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.
Memphis football fans can see the Tigers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in the team's season opener on Saturday, Aug. 31. Single-game tickets for the 2024 season can be found at THIS LINK.
The Pick Three Mini Plan is an additional option available that gives fans the flexibility to pick from any three Tiger home football games during the 2024 season at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, starting at just $69.
To catch all of the action in the highly-anticipated 2024 Memphis Football season, fans can also purchase season tickets at GoTigersGo.com, in person at the Memphis Ticket Office or by calling the office at (901) 678-2331.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Martin, a 2023 First Team All-AAC honoree and 2024 Phil Steele Preseason All-American, was a member of last season's 10-win squad that defeated Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl and held the Cyclones to zero rushing yards. In addition to being named to the Bednarik Award watch list, Martin was tabbed to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (National Defensive Player of the Year) watch list July 30.
Martin started all 13 games for the Tigers a season ago and led the team with 95 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles. The Lithonia, Georgia, native added two interceptions, two pass breakups, three quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery while his tackles-for-loss total ranked 17th in the nation and his 5.1 solo stops per game ranked 18th in FBS. Martin finished second in the conference in tackles for loss and sixth in total tackles in 2023.
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.
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.
Memphis football fans can see the Tigers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in the team's season opener on Saturday, Aug. 31. Single-game tickets for the 2024 season can be found at THIS LINK.
The Pick Three Mini Plan is an additional option available that gives fans the flexibility to pick from any three Tiger home football games during the 2024 season at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, starting at just $69.
To catch all of the action in the highly-anticipated 2024 Memphis Football season, fans can also purchase season tickets at GoTigersGo.com, in person at the Memphis Ticket Office or by calling the office at (901) 678-2331.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
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