Tiger Trio Named to Bednarik Award Watch List

June 22, 2005

AUBURN - Auburn seniors Tommy Jackson and Travis Williams and junior Stanley McClover have been named to the 2005 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, it was announced Wednesday. The Bednarik Award is given annually to the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year.

Jackson was fourth on the Tigers a year ago with 51 tackles, including seven for loss. The nose guard started all 13 of Auburn's games and racked up two and a half sacks with two pass deflections. In three seasons with the Tigers, the Opelika, Ala., native has played in 38 games, registering three and half sacks and 24 tackles for a loss.

Williams has started 25 straight games and led the Tigers with 80 tackles in 2004. The linebacker was third on the team with nine and a half tackles for loss and posted two sacks and two interceptions.
Williams, who hails from Columbia, S.C., also had two pass breakups and five quarterback hurries while forcing one fumble last season.

McClover saw his first action with the Tigers last season, tying for the team lead with seven and a half sacks and 10 tackles for loss. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native played in all 13 games, starting two, and forced four fumbles to go along with nine quarterback hurries, two pass deflections and 35 tackles.

Players selected to the watch list have earned All-Conference or All-America selections. Underclassmen are selected based on recommendations from the Maxwell Football Club Advisory Committee.
Jackson was named to the 2004 Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference First-Team. Williams and McClover, meanwhile, were honored with selections to the Coaches' All-SEC First-Team.

Ten semifinalists for the award will be announced in October with three finalists named in November. The 11th winner of the Bednarik Award will be announced on the Home Depot College Football Awards Show, set to air on ESPN in December.