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BYU defensive lineman Tyler Batty celebrates after recording a sack during the Cougars’ 45-14 victory over Louisiana Tech at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020.
PHILADELPHIA – BYU defensive end Tyler Batty was named to the nominee list Monday for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
The 2024 Bednarik Award watch list includes a broad spectrum of FBS Division I programs and conferences from coast to coast. Six conferences are represented, including the ACC, Big 10, Big 12, SEC, AAC, MAC, Mountain West and Sunbelt, as well as three individuals from independent schools.
In early July, Batty was one of 30 players selected to the 2024 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team by media members who cover the league. The senior from Payson, Utah, was also selected to the Preseason All-Big 12 First Team by Athlon Sports, Phil Steele and College Football Network. In addition, he was named to the waitlist for the annual 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl.
Batty is coming off a junior season in which he was named to the All-Big 12 Second Team and was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and Defensive Lineman of the Year. He led the Cougars in sacks for the third consecutive year, recording 5.5 on nine total tackles for loss. He finished the 2023 season as the defensive line leader with 57 total tackles and had eight quarterback hurries while also forcing two fumbles and recovering another.
Off the field, Batty earned a spot on the prestigious 2023 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team, which is awarded annually to 11 FBS players who demonstrate outstanding performance on the field and exemplary community service.
The semifinalists for the 30th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on November 12, 2024. The winner of the award will be announced during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 12, 2024. The official Bednarik Award presentation will take place on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Maxwell Football Club Awards at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Maxwell Football Club has partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as a selection committee partner. PFF provides detailed metrics and performance-based ratings to the selection committee staff, and several senior PFF analysts serve on our selection committee. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is widely considered the most comprehensive preseason magazine.
The Bednarik Award has been given to the college defensive player of the year since 1994. It is named after Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik, who was an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania and later an All-Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles for several years. He is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to play both offense and defense full-time.
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