The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Moll and Smith Named to Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
7/13/2020 10:00:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Senior linebacker Kristopher Moll and junior edge rusher Jordan Smith have been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List, which is annually presented to the nation's most outstanding defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club.
Moll and Smith are two of 90 players to make the Bednarik Watch List, and two of seven from Conference USA. UAB is the only team from C-USA to have multiple players on the watch list.
These two were the catalysts for UAB finishing eighth nationally in total defense in 2019, and will once again lead a unit that returns nine starters this season.
Moll was a First Team All-Conference USA selection last year and was the only player in C-USA to rank top 10 in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks per game.
Despite missing the first game, Moll finished with 104 total tackles, 16.0 TFL, 9.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, six quarterback hurries, one interception, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.
Smith erupted onto the scene last year, finishing with 53 tackles, 17.5 TFL, 10.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and eight quarterback hurries. He earned Second Team All-Conference USA honors while finishing third in the league in sacks per game (0.71) and fifth in TFL per game (1.25). His 10 sacks were the fifth most in a season at UAB.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 3, and three finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 23. The winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.
The formal presentation for the 26th annual Chuck Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on March 12, 2021.
UAB looks to win its third straight C-USA West Division title in 2020. The Blazers return 18 starters to a team that won the second most games in program history last year. Since returning to action in 2017, UAB is the winningest team in Conference USA, compiling a league-high 28 victories.
Season tickets for 2020 are on sale starting as low as $75 with the Family Four Pack. Blazer Boosters members and current season ticket holders will have top priority for Protective Stadium entering 2021. Click here to purchase season tickets.
Moll and Smith are two of 90 players to make the Bednarik Watch List, and two of seven from Conference USA. UAB is the only team from C-USA to have multiple players on the watch list.
These two were the catalysts for UAB finishing eighth nationally in total defense in 2019, and will once again lead a unit that returns nine starters this season.
Moll was a First Team All-Conference USA selection last year and was the only player in C-USA to rank top 10 in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks per game.
Despite missing the first game, Moll finished with 104 total tackles, 16.0 TFL, 9.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, six quarterback hurries, one interception, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup.
Smith erupted onto the scene last year, finishing with 53 tackles, 17.5 TFL, 10.0 sacks, four forced fumbles and eight quarterback hurries. He earned Second Team All-Conference USA honors while finishing third in the league in sacks per game (0.71) and fifth in TFL per game (1.25). His 10 sacks were the fifth most in a season at UAB.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 3, and three finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 23. The winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.
The formal presentation for the 26th annual Chuck Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on March 12, 2021.
UAB looks to win its third straight C-USA West Division title in 2020. The Blazers return 18 starters to a team that won the second most games in program history last year. Since returning to action in 2017, UAB is the winningest team in Conference USA, compiling a league-high 28 victories.
Season tickets for 2020 are on sale starting as low as $75 with the Family Four Pack. Blazer Boosters members and current season ticket holders will have top priority for Protective Stadium entering 2021. Click here to purchase season tickets.
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