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Nov 6, 2021; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels defensive back Cam’Ron Kelly (9) celebrates with defensive back Tony Grimes (20) and linebacker Power Echols (23) after intercepting the ball in the fourth quarter at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Two North Carolina Tar Heel defensive players are listed on the released watch list of the 2024 Bednarik Award. Kaimon Rucker and Power Echols look to anchor the Tar Heel defense to an excellent season this year.
Echols is a 5-foot-11, 220-pound linebacker who finished last season with 103 total tackles including 5.5 for a loss, those both tie and beat career highs. He also had one interception and two forced fumbles on the year in 13 games.
The senior linebacker, Rucker, finished his 2023 campaign with 61 total tackles and a whopping 15.0 for a loss. To put that dominance into perspective, he had just 15.5 total tackles for a loss heading into last season over his first three seasons.
He also added 8.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
23 Days till kickoff! 🐏
#23 Power Echols – “With Power this past spring, he’s just been showing how he can be – he is one of the best linebackers in the nation.” – Kaimon Rucker #GoHeels #UNC pic.twitter.com/jyOV0yphBg
— Chris Smith (@chrismithunc) August 6, 2024
They will both be up for one of the top defensive awards of the year.
According to goheels.com, “The winners of the 30th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 12, 2024. The formal presentations of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia.”
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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/echols-rucker-listed-2024-bednarik-230126238.html
Author : Tar Heels Wire
Publish date : 2024-08-12 23:01:26
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