Eastern Michigan Athletics
McGill Named to Bednarik Award Watch List
7/15/2019 10:14:00 PM | Football
The Bednarik Award is presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (EMUEagles.com) — Eastern Michigan University senior defensive back Kevin McGill (Waldorf, Md.-Westlake) has been named to the Bednarik Award Watch List, which is presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year, the Maxwell Football Club Announced Monday, July 15.
McGill is one of only three Mid-American Conference players on the list, joining Miami's Doug Costin and Northern Illinois' Antonio Jones-Davis.
A preseason First Team All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports, McGill was part of an experienced EMU secondary that ranked third in the league in interceptions and 33rd nationally in 2018. The Waldorf, Md. native finished last year tied for the team lead with three picks to go along with 38 tackles. His three INTs were second-most in the MAC and tied for 55th in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) ranks. According to Pro Football Focus, McGill led all MAC cornerbacks in catch rate and allowed a mere 34.4 passer rating during his junior campaign. For his efforts, he was a Second Team All-MAC honoree in 2018.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. Chuck Bednarik, former standout at Penn and with the Philadelphia Eagles, is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame's Class of '69 and the NFL Hall of Fame's Class of '67.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced October 29, while the three finalists will be unveiled November 25. The winners of the 2019 Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held December 12. The formal presentations of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 13, 2020.
The 2019 EMU football season will feature a year-long series of events, initiatives, and programming centered around fans, student-athletes, and the community. The celebration will salute the five decades of student-athletes that have played inside Rynearson Stadium as well as the more than 2.8 million fans who have passed through the turnstiles to watch one of the 252 home games in the venue. Furthermore, the College Football 150th Anniversary celebration will be recognized at all divisions of the collegiate game during the 2019 season.
Fans can now order reserved non-chairback season tickets for just $90 ($18 per game). EMU faculty and staff can secure season tickets for $70 ($14 per game), while youth season tickets are just $50 ($10 per game). In addition, EMU continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for $150 ($30 per game). The premiere plan includes a padded chairback seat and VIP parking in the Convocation Center lots.
Buying a season ticket is your best deal as you will save 38 percent when compared to the single-game rate. Tickets are now on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
Following is the entire 2019 preseason watch list calendar:
Monday, July 15: Bednarik Award / Maxwell Award
Tuesday, July 16: Davey O'Brien Award
Wednesday, July 17: Doak Walker Award
Thursday, July 18: Biletnikoff Award
Friday, July 19: Mackey Award & Rimington Award
Monday, July 22: Thorpe Award & Butkus Award
Tuesday, July 23: Outland Trophy & Nagurski Award
Wednesday, July 24: Groza Award & Ray Guy Award
Thursday, July 25: Hornung Award & Wuerffel Trophy
Friday, July 26: Walter Camp Award
McGill is one of only three Mid-American Conference players on the list, joining Miami's Doug Costin and Northern Illinois' Antonio Jones-Davis.
A preseason First Team All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports, McGill was part of an experienced EMU secondary that ranked third in the league in interceptions and 33rd nationally in 2018. The Waldorf, Md. native finished last year tied for the team lead with three picks to go along with 38 tackles. His three INTs were second-most in the MAC and tied for 55th in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) ranks. According to Pro Football Focus, McGill led all MAC cornerbacks in catch rate and allowed a mere 34.4 passer rating during his junior campaign. For his efforts, he was a Second Team All-MAC honoree in 2018.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. Chuck Bednarik, former standout at Penn and with the Philadelphia Eagles, is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame's Class of '69 and the NFL Hall of Fame's Class of '67.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced October 29, while the three finalists will be unveiled November 25. The winners of the 2019 Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held December 12. The formal presentations of these awards will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Tropicana Hotel & Casino Atlantic City on March 13, 2020.
The 2019 EMU football season will feature a year-long series of events, initiatives, and programming centered around fans, student-athletes, and the community. The celebration will salute the five decades of student-athletes that have played inside Rynearson Stadium as well as the more than 2.8 million fans who have passed through the turnstiles to watch one of the 252 home games in the venue. Furthermore, the College Football 150th Anniversary celebration will be recognized at all divisions of the collegiate game during the 2019 season.
Fans can now order reserved non-chairback season tickets for just $90 ($18 per game). EMU faculty and staff can secure season tickets for $70 ($14 per game), while youth season tickets are just $50 ($10 per game). In addition, EMU continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for $150 ($30 per game). The premiere plan includes a padded chairback seat and VIP parking in the Convocation Center lots.
Buying a season ticket is your best deal as you will save 38 percent when compared to the single-game rate. Tickets are now on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
Following is the entire 2019 preseason watch list calendar:
Monday, July 15: Bednarik Award / Maxwell Award
Tuesday, July 16: Davey O'Brien Award
Wednesday, July 17: Doak Walker Award
Thursday, July 18: Biletnikoff Award
Friday, July 19: Mackey Award & Rimington Award
Monday, July 22: Thorpe Award & Butkus Award
Tuesday, July 23: Outland Trophy & Nagurski Award
Wednesday, July 24: Groza Award & Ray Guy Award
Thursday, July 25: Hornung Award & Wuerffel Trophy
Friday, July 26: Walter Camp Award
Players Mentioned
DB
/ FootballEagles Battle to Home Victory over Bowling Green, 27-21
Sunday, November 09
2025 Football Week 10 Hype vs. Bowling Green
Friday, November 07
EMU Football Pregame Press Conference: Week 10 vs. Bowling Green
Monday, November 03
Eastern Rally Falls Short Against Ohio
Saturday, October 25