Maryland linebacker Jaishawn Barham was named Monday to the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award. The award is given annually to the best defensive player in the nation.
Barham was one of 16 Big Ten players and just five underclassmen nationally named to the list. He was also previously named to the Butkus Award watch list; The Butkus Award is given to the top linebacker in the country.
Barham is coming off a breakthrough freshman season during which he racked up 58 tackles — 6.5 for loss — and had both a forced fumble and fumble recovery.