MUNCIE, Ind. -- Ball State senior cornerback Antonio Phillips is a candidate for the top individual defensive award in college football.
The St. Louis, Missouri, native was named Monday to the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list (PDF), the first of a dozen watch lists set to be unveiled over the next two weeks.
Phillips is the first Bednarik Award candidate for Ball State since at least 2004. He is one of four MAC representatives on this year's 90-player list, joining Buffalo defensive end Taylor Riggins, Central Michigan linebacker Troy Brown and Miami safety Sterling Weatherford.