TOLEDO, Ohio - University of Toledo junior defensive lineman Desjuan Johnson was named to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award today, presented annually to the nation's top defensive player. Johnson is one of 90 players in the nation named to the list, and one of only five in the Mid-American Conference.
Johnson had 27 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks in six games in 2020, earning second-team All-MAC honors. In 2019, he had 32 tackles and 7.0 TFLs. He was named preseason first-team All-MAC by Athlon and Phil Steele magazines.
The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, a former standout at the University of Pennsylvania and with the Philadelphia Eagles.