Marshall University Athletics
Marshall’s Owen Porter Named To Bednarik Award Watch List
8/14/2023 12:00:00 PM | Football
Huntington native is one of FBS’ leading returnees in sacks, tackles for loss
2023 MARSHALL FOOTBALL TICKETS
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall redshirt senior defensive end Owen Porter was named to the 2023 Bednarik Award Watch List, as announced on Monday afternoon by the Maxwell Football Club.
The Bednarik Award is annually awarded to the most outstanding defensive football player in college football. Porter is one of 85 players in FBS to be named to the Preseason Watch List.
Porter was selected as a 2023 Preseason All-Sun Belt Conference First Team selection by the Sun Belt coaches, and also by Phil Steele Publications and Athlon.
The Huntington, W.Va. native returns as one of 2022's top returnees in FBS in sacks and tackles for loss after ranking in the top-20 in both categories last season.
In 2022, Porter finished with 60 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks – both in the top-3 among SBC players last year.
For his efforts, Porter was named as a 2022 All-Sun Belt Conference First Team selection following the completion of the season.
Porter's top game came in the win at James Madison when he set career-highs in tackles (9), tackles for loss (4.5) and sacks (3.5) in the Herd's 26-12 road win over the Dukes.
The performance earned Porter the distinction of Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 24, 2022.
Porter also had a key interception late in Marshall's 26-21 upset at No. 8 Notre Dame last season.
In addition to tackles for loss and sacks, Porter also led Marshall in quarterback hurries (9) and forced fumbles (2).
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Football Defensive Player of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club since 1994. It is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik who was an All-American at Penn and went on to induction in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Semifinalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 13 while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled on Nov. 28. The winner of the 29th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 7.
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