PHILADELPHIA – The Maxwell Football Club today announced that NM State linebacker Chris Ojoh is on its watch list for the 28th Chuck Bednarik Award presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football.
 
Ojoh, a senior from Sunland, California, adds to his impressive resume with The Bednarik Award nomination. Earlier this summer, Ojoh was named a Phil Steele Preseason All-Independent Second Team. During the 2021 season, Ojoh started every game for the Aggies and finished second on the team with 71 tackles. Ojoh was the team lead in sacks (five), forced fumbles (three), and tackles for a loss (15).
 
Against elite competition, Ojoh proved that he belongs with the best in the nation. In NM State's contest against No. 1 Alabama, Ojoh tallied 13 tackles – the highest single-game total among Aggies last year. Against the Crimson Tide, the linebacker added three tackles for a loss, a sack, and a forced fumble.
 
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik who was an All American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full time player on both offense and defense.
 
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced November 1, 2022, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 22, 2022. The winners of the 28th Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 8, 2022. The formal presentations of the award will be made at the 86th Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala live from Atlantic City, NJ on March 10, 2023.


For complete coverage of NM State football as the Aggies prepare for year one under head coach Jerry Kill and his staff, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of NM State athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Football), Twitter (@NMStateFootball) and Instagram (@NMStateFootball).