Arkansas defensive end Chris Smith and Arkansas State defensive tackle Ryan Carrethers were among 75 players on the watch list released Monday for the Bednarik Award, which is named for former NFL great Chuck Bednarik and is presented by the Maxwell Football Club.
Smith, a 6-3, 266-pound senior from Mount Ulla, N.C., is among 16 SEC players on the list. Smith was an honorable mention All-SEC pick last season after posting 52 tackles, 9 1/2 sacks, 12 hurries, 4 pass breakups and 1 forced fumble. He also had 13 tackles for loss to rank seventh on Arkansas’ single-season list.
Carrethers, a 6-2, 322-pound senior from Nashville, Tenn., was an All-Sun Belt Conference choice after raking up 68 tackles, 3 1/2 tackles for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery in 2012.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, in its 19th season, will be announced Oct. 29 and the three finalists will be named on Nov. 18.
Sports, Pages 21 on 07/09/2013