Burnett Named To Bednarik Award Watch List

UCF senior cornerback Joe Burnett (Eustis, Fla./Eustis) was one of 75 players in the country named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, which was released Monday. The award is presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the best defensive player in the nation.

Burnett enters the season with 12 career interceptions, tied for the most by any active player in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. In 2007, he recorded a career-best six interceptions as the Knights claimed the Conference USA Championship. During the season, Burnett also registered 64 tackles (55 solo) and posted a team-high 12 pass breakups with one fumble recovery. He earned All-C-USA First Team honors as a defensive back and a punt returner a year ago.

In May, Burnett was one of 56 players nationally named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The award is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America.

The Bednarik Award is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, who starred collegiately at Penn. He played professionally with the Philadelphia Eagles and is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced in early November, and three finalists will be named on Nov. 25. The winner of the award will be announced in December at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.