July 6, 2011
Two Commodore defensive standouts are among 65 players across the nation named to the Bednarik Award preseason watch list, the Maxwell Football Club announced today.
Chris Marve, a two-time All-Southeastern Conference linebacker from Memphis, Tenn., and Casey Hayward, a 2010 all-conference cornerback from Perry, Ga., were named to the Bednarik Award watch list. The award is presented annually to the nation’s best defensive player.
Vanderbilt was one of four SEC teams to have multiple players named to the watch list. Alabama paced the conference with five players, with LSU following with three players. Two Arkansas players were included in the preseason list.
Nineteen players from the SEC were named to the watch list, more than any other conference.
Marve, a three-year starting senior, has previously been named as a preseason candidate for the Lott Impact Trophy and will likely get consideration for the Butkus, Nagurski and Lombardi awards. The SEC’s active career leader with 306 tackles, Marve also ranks among the league’s leaders with seven career forced fumbles. In 2010, he contributed 80 tackles, including a career-high eight stops for loss.
Hayward, a senior who has started 24 consecutive games entering this season, has been mentioned for the Thorpe Award given to the nation’s top defensive back. He was also listed as a preseason All-America by Phil Steele’s College Football Preview in May.
Hayward topped the SEC with 17 defensed passes last year. He also contributed six interceptions in 2010, tying for second most in the conference. Hayward also established a single-season high with 70 tackles.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, named in honor of college and pro football Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik, will be announced Oct. 31 and the three finalists will be unveiledNov. 21.The winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show held onDec. 8th.
The Commodores open their first season under Head Coach James Franklin by hosting Elon on Sept. 3 in Vanderbilt Stadium. Season tickets for the Commodores’ seven-game home schedule remain available online at the official website (vucommodores.com), by phone at (615) 322-GOLD or in the Athletic Box Office in McGugin Center on campus.
