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Rueben Bain and Francisco Mauigoa named to Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List

Defensive lineman Rueben Bain and middle linebacker Francisco Mauigoa were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List on Monday.

By Alan Rubenstein

Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (44) and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (51) celebrates after a defensive stop during the first half of the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (44) and linebacker Francisco Mauigoa (51) celebrates after a defensive stop during the first half of the 2023 Pinstripe Bowl against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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On Monday, Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain and middle linebacker Francisco Mauigoa added to their preseason accolades by being named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List. The Bednarik Award honors the best defensive player in college football nationally each season.

Bain and Mauigoa were two of 19 players in the ACC named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List. Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina and Virginia Tech are the only other ACC teams with two players named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List.

Bain previously earned preseason recognition by being named first-team All-ACC. Mauigoa was named to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List and the Preseason All-ACC team. The Nagurski Trophy honors the best defensive player nationally each season. Eleven Miami players have been named to a preseason watch list.

Linebacker Dan Morgan is the only Miami player to win the Nagurski Award when he was named in 2000. Only six defensive lineman have earned the Naguski Award in its 20 years of existence. Linebackers Pat Fitzgerald of Northwestern and Paul Posluzny of Penn State are the only two-time winners of the Nagurski Award.

Bain had 44 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 3,0 forced fumbles and 1.0 sack as a true freshman in 2023. Mauigoa had 82 tackles, 18.0 TFLs, 7.5 sacks, 2.0 forced fumbles, four passes defended and a forced fumble in 2023 after transferring from Washington State.

Mauigoa should be named to one more preseason watch list when the Butkus Award names their list on Tuesday. The Butkus Award honors the best LB nationally each season. The semifinalists for the Bednarik award will be announced on November 12. The Bednarik Award three finalists will be named on November 26.

Next. Francisco Mauigoa should be named to 2 more watch lists this week. Francisco Mauigoa should be named to 2 more watch lists this week. dark

The Bednarik Award is named in honor of former Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Eagles player Chuck Bednarik. Bednarik was an All-American two-way player at Penn from 1946-48. Bednarik played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949-62. The College and Pro Football Halls of Fame both inducted Bednarik.

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