UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Maxwell Football Club announced its watch lists for the 85th Maxwell Award presented annually to the outstanding player in college football, and for the 27th annual Chuck Bednarik Award presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football on Monday.
The Maxwell Award has been presented to the College Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, a former standout at the Swarthmore College and a renowned sports writer and football official.
The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, a former standout at the University of Pennsylvania and with the Philadelphia Eagles. Bednarik is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame's Class of '69 and the NFL Hall of Fame's Class of '67.
Jahan Dotson Bio:
- Has played in 30 career games, making 26 starts.
- Has caught a pass in 29-straight games, dating back to Indiana game (10/20/18).
- Has 26 career receptions of 20 or more yards.
- Owns five career touchdown catches of 60 or more yards (75 vs. Illinois, 2020; 70 vs. Illinois, 2020; 68 vs. Iowa, 2020; 60 at Indiana, 2020; 72 vs. Purdue, 2019) and six of 40 or more yards.
- Ranks 13th all-time at Penn State in career receiving touchdowns (13) and is 17th in receiving yards (1,575).
- Is one of 18 Nittany Lions to reach the 1,500 career receiving yards mark.
- Owns six career 100-yard receiving games, tied for eighth all-time at Penn State.
- Owns the Penn State single season record for punt return average (24.6; 2020).
- In 2020, finished tied for 11th in a single season at Penn State for receiving touchdowns (8), 13th in receiving yardage (884), and tied for 17th in receptions (52).
- One of eight receivers (nine occasions) to have five 100-yard games in a season and the third to do so since 2000, joining Allen Robinson (8; 2013), Bryant Johnson (5; 2001) and Chris Godwin (5; 2015).
- With an 81-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 100-yard receiving performance vs. Michigan State (12/12), he became one of three Big Ten players to have 100 receiving yards and a punt return for a touchdown in the same game since 2000 (Michigan's Steve Breaston, 2006 vs. Indiana; Wisconsin's Brandon Williams, 2005 vs. Indiana).
Jaquan Brisker Bio:
- Has played in 22 career games, making nine starts.
- Earned All-American first team honors from Pro Football Focus in 2020.
- Was an honorable mention All-American by Phil Steele.
- Named an All-Big Ten third team selection by the coaches and honorable mention by the media.
- Garnered Pro Football Focus All-Big Ten first team honors.
- Earned Phil Steele All-Big Ten second team laurels.
- Tallied six pass breakups in 2020, good for a tie for seventh in the Big Ten.
- Seven passes defended were tied for 11th in the league.
- Finished 12th in the Big Ten for solo tackles (33).
- Was 15th in the conference in total tackles (57) and third among defensive backs
The 2021 Penn State Football season is presented by PSECU.