Benny Snell, Jordan Jones on watch lists for prestigious awards

SEC Media Days open today in Alabama and preseason watch lists for prestigious awards are circulating.

Two Wildcats earned recognition on lists released this morning.

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Sophomore running back Benny Snell was named to the Maxwell Award Watch list while junior linebacker Jordan Jones is on the watch list for the Bednarik Award.

From maxwellfootballclub.org, "The Maxwell Award, named in honor of Robert W. "Tiny" Maxwell, has been given to America's College Player of the Year since 1937...The Bednarik Award has been presented tothe College Defensive PLayer of the Year since 1995."

Snell rushed for 1,091 yards and 13 touchdowns on 186 carries last year, splitting backfield duties with Boom Williams. His production could increase this year as he takes on a greater share of the carries in Kentucky's backfield.

Snell was named to the Football Writers Association Freshman All-American team at the end of last football season. He was a Freshman All-SEC pick according to coaches in the conference and set six UK freshman records. He broke Moe Williams' record for most rushing yards as a freshman in UK history. His 13 rushing touchdowns were tied for second in the SEC.

Jones was a second team All-SEC pick according to the AP. He was UK's leading tackler (109) and had 15.5 tackles for loss.