UK linebacker on Bednarik watch list

Kentucky senior linebacker Danny Trevathan has been named to the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to college football's top defensive player.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound Trevathan led the Southeastern Conference in tackles last season with 144.

Trevathan earned first-team All-America honors from CollegeFootballNews.com last season and was a first-team All-SEC choice by multiple selectors.

Last season, Trevathan averaged 11.5 tackles in SEC games. He led UK with 16 tackles for loss and was third in the SEC in that category. He had 10 double-digit tackle games, including the last nine games of the season, including a career-high 17 tackles against eventual Bowl Championship Series champ Auburn.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced Oct. 31 and the three finalists for each award will be unveiled Nov. 21.

The winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 8.