PHILADELPHIA – Tennessee junior defensive back Nigel Warrior has been named to the 2018 Bednarik Award Watch List. Warrior is the first Vol to be named to the Bednarik Watch list since the defensive trio of Derek Barnett, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Cameron Sutton were named to the Bednarik’s preliminary list in 2016.
Warrior totaled 83 tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and three forced fumbles for the Big Orange last season. The Duluth, Ga., native also had his first career interception last season on the road at Missouri, a 70-yard return for a touchdown to give the Vols their first score of the game.
Established in 1995 the Bednarik Award is presented annually to the College Defensive Player of the Year and named after College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik. The Maxwell Football Club presents the award and head coaches, members of the Maxwell Football Club and sportswriters and sportscasters from across the country vote. The Maxwell Sports Club also sponsors the Maxwell Award, Bret Bell Award and George Munger Awards to name a few.
The Bednarik Award has seen two Vols earn semifinalist honors. Kevin Burnett was UT’s first Bednarik Award semifinalist in 2004, while Eric Berry advanced in 2008.
The winner of the 2018 Bednarik Award will be announced in early December during the College Football Awards show.
Tennessee will kick off the season on Saturday, Sept. 1 against West Virginia in Charlotte, N.C., in the 2018 Belk College Kickoff. Tickets can be purchased by going to AllVols.com or by contacting the Tennessee Ticket Office at (865) 656-1200.