Jalen Green Announced as Semifinalist for Chuck Bednarik Award

PHILADELPHIA – James Madison defensive end Jalen Green has been named a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club on Monday.

The Bednarik Award, now in its 29th season, is presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football and 20 of the nation's top defensive standouts were recognized on the list. Green becomes JMU's first semifinalists for the country's top defensive award.

Green, the nation's leader in both sacks and tackles for loss suffered a season-ending injury on Nov. 4. In just nine starts, Green set the Sun Belt Conference record for single-season sacks, with 15.5, which is just one shy of JMU's single-season mark.

He accrued 50 total tackles with an FBS-leading 21.0 tackles for loss, as well as a pair of forced fumbles, one pick-six and a pass breakup.

Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 28, and the winner of the 29th Chuck Bednarik Award will be unveiled as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 8.

Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists
Kris Abrams-Draine, Missouri, Defensive Back
Beanie Bishop Jr., West Virginia, Cornerback
Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M, Linebacker
Howard Cross III, Notre Dame, Defensive Lineman
Cooper DeJean, Iowa, Defensive Back
Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State, Linebacker
Jonah Elliss, Utah, Defensive End
Ashton Gillotte, Louisville, Defensive Lineman
Jalen Green, James Madison, Defensive End
Jason Henderson, Old Dominion, Linebacker
Kris Jenkins, Michigan, Defensive Lineman
Laiatu Latu, UCLA, Defensive Lineman
Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo, Cornerback
Jer'Zhan Newton, Illinois, Defensive Lineman
Malaki Starks, Georgia, Defensive Back
T'Vondre Sweat, Texas, Defensive Lineman
T.J. Tampa, Iowa State, Defensive Back
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson, Linebacker
Dallas Turner, Alabama, Linebacker
Payton Wilson, NC State, Linebacker

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