CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — The Bednarik Award named Illinois senior LB Jake Hansen to its watch list, the committee announced Monday. It is the fourth career watch list for Hansen, who was named to the Bednarik, Butkus and Nagurksi watch lists last season and a Butkus Award semifinalist in 2019.
The Chuck Bednarik Award
The Maxwell Football Club presents the Chuck Bednarik Award to the college defensive player of the year. The award is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, three-time All-American at the University of Pennsylvania, College and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
The award is voted on by NCAA Head College Football Coaches, members of the Maxwell Football Club & sportswriters and sportscasters from across the country.
- Last three winners : Zaven Collins (Tulsa), Chase Young (Ohio State), Josh Allen (Kentucky),
Jake Hansen | Bednarik Award Watch List
- 10 career forced fumbles are tied for third-most in program history, behind only Illinois legends Simeon Rice (13) and Whitney Mercilus (11)
- 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-American fourth team
- 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten first team
- 2021 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten second team
- 2021 PFF Preseason All-Big Ten third team
- All-Big Ten second team (media)
- All-Big Ten third team (coaches)
- #3 tackling grade in the nation according to PFF (90.8)
- Hansen Big Ten rankings in 2020: #5 in TFLs, #8 in forced fumbles, #10 in fumble recoveries, #10 in tackles, #12 in interceptions
- 68 tackles, 10.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions on the season
- Matched career high and lead the team with 15 tackles at Rutgers 11/14/20, along with a sack, one interception, and one pass breakup.
- Top-graded linebacker in Power-5 the week of Nov. 13/14 by PFF (81.3)
- 2019 Butkus Award Semifinalist
- Led the nation in forced fumbles (7) and ranked fifth in fumbles recovered (3) for the 2019 season
- Tied for the Illinois lead in tackles (95) and led Illinois in solo tackles (48) in 2018
- Won team's Bruce Capel Award for courage in 2018
