Categories: Archives

Senior defensive tackle Donald nominated for Bednarik Award

Pitt senior defensive tackle Aaron Donald received yet another honor Monday when the Maxwell Football Club included his name in its watch list for the Bednarik Award, which is annually presented to the country’s top defensive player.

Donald joins 75 of college football’s top defenders on the list. At the end of the season, the Maxwell Football Club’s selection committee determines the winner of the award based on the player’s past accomplishments and future potential. Although he’s considered undersized for his position, the 6-foot, 285-pound Donald has asserted himself as one of college football’s most disruptive Aaron Donald is one of the nation’s top players. (Sheldon Satenstein / Assistant Visual Editor)forces along the defensive line. During the 2012 season, Donald compiled 65 total tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and a forced fumble, earning him first-team All-Big East honors for the second year in a row. 

But the Maxwell Football Club is not the only organization that has recognized Donald’s impressive list of accomplishments. He was also named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list. The Lott Trophy is also given to the nation’s top defensive player. 

In addition, he has been named a preseason All-American by Athlon, Lindy’s Sports and Phil Steele. 

Despite the number of accolades Donald has received, he remains levelheaded, saying during a press conference Monday morning at Pitt’s practice facility on the South Side that he needs to maintain his level of play on the field in the fall. 

“I’m excited about [the awards], but I still gotta go out there and play football,” he said.

Pitt News Staff

Share
Published by
Pitt News Staff

Recent Posts

Opinion | Democrats should be concerned with shifts in blue strongholds

Recent election results in such states have raised eyebrows nationwide, suggesting a deeper shift in…

1 hour ago

Editorial | Trump’s cabinet picks could not be worse

Over the past week, President-elect Donald Trump began announcing his nominations for Cabinet secretaries —…

1 hour ago

What Trump’s win means for the future of reproductive rights 

Pitt professors give their opinions on what future reproductive health care will look like for…

3 hours ago

Police blotter: Nov. 8 – Nov. 20

Pitt police reported one warrant arrest for indecent exposure at Forbes and Bouquet, the theft…

3 hours ago

Down to their last strike, Pitt men’s soccer’s No. 2 seeding provides new hope in the NCAA tournament

Now down to their last strike, the time has come for 2024 Pitt men’s soccer…

3 hours ago

Pitt’s winter sports well underway and preparing for holiday break contests

Wrestling Pitt wrestling (1-0, ACC 0-0) is in full swing and hosts Lehigh this Sunday,…

3 hours ago