Two Florida Gators Named To Bednarik Award Watch List
By Gatorzone.com // July 8, 2015
CB Vernon Hargreaves and LB Antonio Morrison
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA (Gatorzone.com) – Senior linebacker Antonio Morrison and junior cornerback Vernon Hargreaves were named to the 2015 Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list on Tuesday, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club.
The Bednarik Award (Collegiate Defensive Player of the Year) watch list is headlined by 2014 winner Arizona LB Scooby Wright and features six of last year’s semifinalists, including Hargreaves.
Following the 2014 season, the Tampa Bay, Fla. native was named to both the Associated Press and Coaches’ All-Southeastern Conference First Team, CBS Sports All-America First Team and Walter Camp and AP All-America Second Team.
Statistically, Hargreaves totaled 45 tackles on the season, with two interceptions and an SEC-leading 13 passes broken up, besting his record-setting 11 pass break ups recorded last season, which equaled the most by a true freshman in school history, matching the total Janoris Jenkins had in 2008.
In 2014, Morrison earned Second Team All-SEC honors by the leagues’ coaches, the Associated Press and Phil Steele. The Bellwood, Ill. Product led the Gators with 101 tackles on the season and became the first UF player to have 100 tackles since Ahmad Black in 2010, and the first linebacker to post 100 tackles since Brandon Spikes had 131 in 2007.
The watch list was compiled by the Maxwell Football Club’s national selection committee and was based on past performance.
