TUCSON, Ariz. – University of Arizona linebacker Colin Schooler has been named to the 2019 Bednarik Award Watch List, it was announced Monday by the Maxwell Football Club.
 
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. Schooler is one of 11 Pac-12 players to be included on this year's watch list.
 
Schooler had one of the finest seasons by an Arizona defender last season, earning first-team All-Pac-12 honors from the Associated Press and honorable mention honors from the league's coaches. Schooler started all 12 games at the middle linebacker position and tallied 119 tackles, 72 solo stops, 21.5 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 sacks. The 21.5 TFLs ranked fifth-most in UA single-season history and he now has 35 for his career, which is just 5.5 shy of the UA career top-10.
 
Schooler led all Power 5 defenders with 1.79 tackles-for-loss per game and ranked fifth in the Pac-12 with 9.92 tackles per game. He also added four pass breakups, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one fumble recovered and scored on a safety. He recorded at least one tackle-for-loss in 10 of the 12 games last season, including four at Oregon State.
 
His impressive sophomore campaign followed up a banner rookie season in 2017 when Schooler shined as a true freshman. He played in all 13 games and was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writers Association of America, the USA Today, ESPN.com, 247 Sports and College Football News. He was also named the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced October 29, while the three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 25. The winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 12.
 
Schooler and the Wildcats will play six home games in 2019. Full ticket information can be found at ArizonaWildcats.com/FB.