TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - For the second year in a row, Florida State defensive back Lamarcus Joyner's name is on the watch list for the Bednarik Award.
Also like last year, the Noles' senior is joined by two of his teammates.
Joyner, senior linebacker Christian Jones, and junior defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan all made the 2013 watch list for the Bednarik Award, given to the nation's top college defensive player.
Joyner chose to forgo the NFL Draft after a junior campaign that saw him start all 14 games at safety. The Ft. Lauderdale native recorded up 51 tackles, five pass break-ups, and one interception over the season. He will move to corner back for his senior year.
Jones also started all 14 games for FSU last year, and led the team with 95 tackles. He had seven tackles for loss, and returned a fumble for a touchdown in the Seminoles' 30-17 win at USF.
Jernigan only started two games last year, but saw significant playing time in the defensive line rotation. The junior helped plug the middle line with 46 tackles, eight of them in the backfield, including 1.5 sacks.
Semifinalists for the 2013 Bednarik Award will be revealed October 29th, and three finalists will be released on November 25th. The winner will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show, December 12th.
Over the next two weeks, the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) will release watch lists for 2013 postseason awards, continuing tomorrow with the John Mackey Award (most outstanding tight end) and Rimington Trophy (nation's premier center).
