University Southern California Trojans
Jay Tufele, Drake Jackson, Talanoa Hufanga Named To Bednarik Award Watch List
July 13, 2020 | Football, Features
LOS ANGELES — Three Trojans — defensive linemen Jay Tufele and Drake Jackson and safety Talanoa Hufanga — were named to the 2020 Watch List for the Bednarik Award, presented to the nation's top defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club.
All-American linebacker Rey Maualuga was USC's only recipient of the Bednarik Award when he was honored in 2008.
Tufele, a junior, was an All-Pac-12 first teamer in 2019 when he had 41 tackles, including 6.5 for losses, after earning Freshman All-American first team notice in 2018.
Bednarik Award 🥇@tufele123 (3/3)#BednarikAward | #FightOn ✌️ pic.twitter.com/yHDeBEiCqD
— USC Football (@USC_FB) July 13, 2020
Jackson was a Freshman All-American first teamer last year when he posted 46 tackles, including 11.5 for losses (with 5.5 sacks).
Watch list SZN is here!!
— USC Football (@USC_FB) July 13, 2020
Bednarik Award 🥇@The99Athlete (1/3)#BednarikAward | #FightOn ✌️ pic.twitter.com/TF9X2zJjH5
Hufanga, a junior who made the All-Pac-12 second team last fall, was second on the Trojans in tackles in 2020 with 90, including 7.5 for losses.
Bednarik Award 🥇@HufangaTalanoa (2/3)#BednarikAward | #FightOn ✌️ pic.twitter.com/c2k52sDUxa
— USC Football (@USC_FB) July 13, 2020
