Watch List SZN is underway

You thought a global pandemic and the questionable viability of college football in 2020 would temper the rollout of Watch List SZN?

You fool!

There is no slowing the inevitable crush of Watch List SZN, which began on Monday with the announcement of the Bednarik Award’s preseason contenders.

You can count Indiana’s Tiawan Mullen among the 90 players in the running for the trophy recognizing college football’s top defensive player. Mullen, one of only 11 sophomores to land on the list, finished last season with first team Freshman All-American honors from The Athletic, first team True Freshman All-American honors from 247 Sports, and second team All-Freshman honors from Pro Football Focus.

The Florida native led the Big Ten and finished second among freshmen nationally with 13 pass breakups, while tying for the team lead with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Mulled also posted 29 tackles, including 3.5 for loss, on the way to being named IU’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

The Maxwell Football Club will select a group of semifinalists for the Bednarik Award on Nov. 3, and the three finalists will be announced on Nov. 23. The winner will be revealed during the College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.

Here’s how the rest of the Watch List SZN calendar breaks down:

Tuesday, July 14: Davey O’Brien Award
Wednesday, July 15: Doak Walker Award
Thursday, July 16: Biletnikoff Award
Friday, July 17: Mackey Award
Monday, July 20: Jim Thorpe Award
Tuesday, July 21: Outland Trophy | Nagurski Award
Wednesday, July 22: Groza Award | Ray Guy Award
Thursday, July 23: Hornung Award | Wuerffel Trophy
Friday, July 24: Maxwell Award