UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State senior safety Jaquan Brisker has been named a semfinalist for the Bednarik Award, it was announced on Monday. Brisker is one of 18 semifinalists for the nation's top defensive player award.
Semifinalist voting for the award presented by the Maxwell Football Club will begin on Tuesday Nov. 2 and will close on Nov. 20. Three finalists will be announced on Nov. 23 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.
Jaquan Brisker Notes
- Brisker was named Midseason All-America by the Associated Press, ESPN and The Athletic (first team).
- Brisker has at least a half tackle for loss in six of eight games this season.
- According to Pro Football Focus, Brisker has played 772 coverage snaps without allowing a touchdown, the most in college football since 2019.
- Against Wisconsin, two Lackawanna College alums played a big role. Brisker and senior S Ji'Ayir Brown each recorded interceptions in the closing minutes to seal the victory.
- Brisker's interception stopped a Wisconsin drive inside the Penn State 10. He returned the interception 41 yards.
- Brisker added a tackle for loss and a pass breakup against the Badgers.
- Brisker recorded an interception in the first quarter against Iowa. He added a career-high-tying nine tackles (seven solo).
- Brisker tallied eight tackles and a fumble recovery against Illinois.
The winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show which will be broadcast live on ESPN on December 9, 2021. The formal presentation of the award will take place at the 85th Maxwell Awards Gala which will be held at Tropicana Atlantic City on Friday March 11, 2022.
The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF), XOS and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed statistical and performance based assessments to selection committee staff, and several senior PFF analysts have been added to the selection committee and have participated in the process.
Phil Steele's College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete football reference in the country. XOS provides the Maxwell Club selection committee with access to game footage from all FBS colleges.
For information on joining the Nittany Lion Club and ticket information for the 2021 Penn State Football season presented by PSECU, as well as club seating in Beaver Stadium, fans can visit www.PSUnrivaled.com, or call 1-800-NITTANY weekdays from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.
The 2021 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.