TOLEDO, Ohio - Junior cornerback Quinyon Mitchell was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list today. The award is given annually to the most outstanding defensive player in the country.
Mitchell is one of only two players from the Mid-American Conference to be on the Bednarik Award watch list. He is also on preseason watch lists for the Jim Thorpe Award (defensive back) and Bronko Nagurski Trophy ( national defensive player of the year).
Mitchell led the nation with 25 passes defended (five interceptions, 20 breakups) in 2022, and was named second-team All-America by Walter Camp, Phil Steele and Pro Football Focus, and third-team All-America by the Associated Press.