Junior cornerback Janoris Jenkins (Pahokee, Fla.) was added to the 2010 Bednarik Award Watch List, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Wednesday. The award is presented to the nation’s top defensive player in college football.
Fifty-two FBS schools, representing 10 conferences, are represented on the 2010 Maxwell Award list; 50 FBS schools from 11 conferences are on the Chuck Bednarik Watch List.
During his career, Jenkins has appeared in 33 games as a Gator, including 30 starts. This season, he has recorded 25 tackles, with three for loss and his five defended passes tie for fourth in the SEC. In addition, Jenkins has two interceptions on the season including a 67-yard return for a touchdown versus Miami University, which is the second-longest in the SEC in the 2010 season. He has also been the starting punt returner all season, returning 10 punts for 90 yards (9.0 avg.), which ranks fifth in the SEC.
Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced on Nov. 8th and three finalists for each award will be announced Nov. 22nd. The winners of the 2010 Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show which will be held on Dec. 9. The formal presentation of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Harrah's Entertainment Atlantic City on March 4, 2011.
