Oregon’s Brandon Dorlus named to Bednarik Award watch list
Ahead of his final season with the Oregon Ducks, star defensive end Brandon Dorlus has been named to the shortlist of college football’s top defensive players.
On Monday, the preseason watch list was announced for the Bednarik Award and Dorlus was among the 85 players selected.
Last season, Dorlus tallied 39 tackles, a career-high 9.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. His 40 quarterback hurries were tied for the eighth-most in the nation and ranked fourth in the Pac-12.
The year prior, he tallied 25 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks.
Dorlus likely would have been selected in the 2023 NFL Draft but opted to return to Eugene for his senior season in order to boost his draft stock after he was hindered by injuries for much of the 2022 campaign.
“Playing with better pad level, using his hands consistently, better understanding,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said when asked what Dorlus worked to improve during the offseason. “I think he did a good job of assessing ‘Okay, here’s what my film said last year, and then here are the things that I can tweak to get there.’ So, some technical things that he’s been able to improve and then just his overall compete. There’s an expectation for him, and really all those guys that can play along the front for us to play at a certain level.”
A 3-star signee in the class of 2019, Dorlus was the No. 897 player in the nation and the No. 90 defensive lineman out of Deerfield Beach, Fla, according to the On3 Industry ranking.
No Oregon player has won the Bednarik Award in its 29-year history. Former Ducks’ star Kayvon Thibodeaux was a finalist for the award in 2021.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 13, and the three finalists will be unveiled on Nov. 28. The winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on Dec. 7.
Oregon players on preseason watch lists
Maxwell Award – QB Bo Nix
Outland Trophy – OL Josh Conerly Jr.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy – DE Brandon Dorlus, DB Evan Williams
Wuerffel Trophy – DB Trikweze Bridges
Paul Hornung Award – WR Kris Hutson
John Mackey Award – TE Terrance Ferguson
Rimington Trophy – OL Jackson Powers-Johnson
Biletnikoff Award – WR Troy Franklin, WR Tez Johnson
Davey O’Brien Award – QB Bo Nix
Doak Walker Award – RB Bucky Irving, RB Noah Whittington
Butkus Award – ILB Jestin Jacobs
Walter Camp Player of the Year – QB Bo Nix, RB Bucky Irving
Chuck Bednarik Award – DE Brandon Dorlus
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