UM safety Bubba Bolden named to Bednarik Award watch list

Miami Hurricanes standout safety Bubba Bolden on Monday was named to the watch list for the 2021 Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given annually to college football’s most outstanding defensive player.

Bolden, a redshirt junior, is coming off a 2020 season in which he was named a second-team All-ACC selection and a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award — which is presented to college football’s most outstanding defensive back — after leading UM with 74 total tackles last year.

He finished 2020 with 6.5 tackles for loss and a sack to go along with a team-best four forced fumbles, three pass breakups and one interception.

Bolden was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week twice last year, including after recording 10 tackles, blocking two field goals and forcing a fumble in Miami’s loss to Clemson.

Former UM defensive ends Greg Rousseau — who opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic — and Quincy Roche were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list last season, with former Tulsa and current Arizona Cardinals linebacker Zaven Collins winning the award.

The winner of the Bednarik Award will be announced on Dec. 9.

Dan Morgan was the last Miami player to win the award after a stellar 2000 season.

Also on Monday, Hurricanes quarterback D’Eriq King was named to the watch list for the Maxwell Award, which is annually presented to college football’s most outstanding player.