UGA football linebacker Smael Mondon, safety Malaki Starks, and defensive end Mykel Williams have each been named to the 2024 Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club has announced.
Check out the 2024 #BednarikAward Watchlist 🏈#MaxwellFootball
🔗: https://t.co/DvapuYnQXU pic.twitter.com/Fzx3NJLaY1
— Maxwell Football (@MaxwellFootball) August 12, 2024
The Bednarik Award, named after Chuck Bednarik, is an annual award given to the college football defensive player of the year.
Last season, Georgia linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson and defensive back Javon Bullard were each named to the Bednarik Award Watch List.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 12, while the three finalists will be unveiled Tuesday, Nov. 26. The winner of the 2024 Bednarik Award will be announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Thursday, Dec. 12.
Smael Mondon Jr., a 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior, hails from Dallas, Ga. Mondon Jr. was a Second-Team All-SEC pick by the coaches last season, finishing second on the Georgia defense with 68 stops, including 42 solo. Mondon Jr. also recorded three quarterback takedowns.
Malaki Starks, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior from Jefferson, Ga., started at defensive back in 13 games last season. Starks finished fourth on the Bulldogs with 52 tackles — 31 solo — and recorded three picks.
Mykel Williams, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior, hails from Columbus, Ga. Williams started at defensive line in 13 games last season and recorded 18 combined tackles, with six-and-a-half for loss. Williams also notched four-and-a-half sacks.
Georgia is set to open the 2024 season against the Clemson Tigers in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Saturday, Aug. 31. The game will be televised live by ABC at noon ET (Buy Tickets).
Preseason Watch List – 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐁𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐤 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝@SmaelJr @MykelWilliams_ @StarksMalaki #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/Z2IiNPdknd
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) August 12, 2024
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