Three Bulldogs named to 2022 Bednarik Award Watch List

UGA football defensive tackle Jalen Carter, linebacker Nolan Smith, and defensive back Kelee Ringo have each been named to the 2022 Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club has announced.

The Maxwell Football Club today announced its watch list for the 28th Chuck Bednarik Award presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football. Check out who made the list here ⬇️

For more information on #MaxwellFootball head to…https://t.co/WLP97u1LVJ pic.twitter.com/KnE8Avqnia

— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) August 1, 2022

The Bednarik Award, named after Chuck Bednarik, is an annual award given to the college football defensive player of the year.

Last season, Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean were named to the Bednarik Award Watch List. Davis was later named the winner of the Bednarik Award as well as the Outland Trophy.

Semifinalists for the 2022 Bednarik Award will be announced on Monday, Oct. 31, followed by the three finalists on Monday, Nov. 21. The winner of the 2022 Bednarik Award will be announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 8.

Jalen Carter (6-3, 310) is a junior defensive lineman from Apopka, Fla. Last season, Carter played in all 15 games and finished with 37 tackles, 33 quarterback pressures, 3.0 sacks, 8.5 tackles for loss, and two blocked kicks.

Nolan Smith, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound senior, hails from Savannah, Ga. Smith started in all 14 games he played in last season and finished with 56 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.

Kelee Ringo, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound redshirt sophomore, is a native of Tacoma, Wash. Ringo played in all 15 games in 2021 and started in the final 12 games. His 79-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed Georgia’s 33-18 victory over Alabama in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship.

The Georgia Bulldogs are scheduled to open the 2022 season on Saturday, Sept. 3 against the Oregon Ducks in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.

2022 UGA Football Schedule