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Duke Football: Two players make 2018 Bednarik Award Watch List

By Brandon Croce

DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 05: Mark Gilbert #28 of the Duke Blue Devils tries to tip the ball back over the goal line on a Duke punt during their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - NOVEMBER 05: Mark Gilbert #28 of the Duke Blue Devils tries to tip the ball back over the goal line on a Duke punt during their game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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The Maxwell Football Club recently announced their 2018 Bednarik Award Watch List, which included two on the Duke Blue Devils’ football team.

The Duke Blue Devils’ football team has one of the top defenses in the ACC so it shouldn’t be a surprise that Mark Gilbert and Joe Giles-Harris made a short list for the Bednarik Award. This award is given to the best defensive player in the FBS, according to the Maxwell Football Club.

It shouldn’t be a surprise to see linebacker Joe Giles-Harris name on the watch list. He was a semi-finalist a year ago. The outside linebacker has been racking up tackles over the past two seasons with over 230 total tackles. He also has 25.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 career sacks, and six passes defended.

This past season he even made Pro Football Focus’ First-Team All-American and was graded as the best linebacker in college football. It would not be surprising to see Giles-Harris be named a finalist for, or even win, the Bednarik Award. He has an incredible ability to stop the run and has the speed to move sideline to sideline.

The other player to make the Bednarik Award Watch List was cornerback Mark Gilbert. The junior had a breakout season last year, finishing with six interceptions and 15 passes defended. Gilbert had the look of being a shutdown corner and should build on an impressive campaign. At 6’2″ and 175 pounds, he has the physical ability to line up across any wide receiver and win that battle.

The fact these two players made this list should not be a surprise as they have been recognized in a number of pre-season All-Americans, according to the team’s athletic department. Head coach David Cutcliff will be looking to this two players to help lead a defense that finished last year allowing the 22nd fewest yards per game (332.6) and 25th fewest points per game (20.2).

*All stats courtesy of www.sports-reference.com unless otherwise noted.

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