Florida Gators safety Matt Elam has been named the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week. It was announced Tuesday by the Maxwell Football Club, which recognizes the top collegiate defensive player annually.
Elam, a 5-foot-10, 202-pound junior, had six tackles, including two for a loss, and a 47-yard interception return in Saturday’s 14-7 win against Missouri. The No. 7 Gators (8-1 overall, 7-1 in SEC play) host Louisiana-Lafayette at 12:21 p.m. on Saturday.
Elam is third on the team with 47 tackles, including six for a loss with a sack this season. He also has four bass breakups, three interceptions and a fumble recovery.
He is one of 16 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award after being added to the watch list after Week 7. Three finalists will be named on Nov. 19 with the winner announced on Dec. 6.
Elam also is on watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and is a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.
Here’s a look at all of the postseason awards Gators football players are up for and the dates they will be announced:
Bronko Nagurski Trophy — Dec. 3 — Sharrif Floyd, Matt Elam
Butkus Award — Dec. 4 — Jon Bostic, Jelani Jenkins
Rotary Lombardi Award — Dec. 5 — Sharrif Floyd, Jon Bostic, Jelani Jenkins
Chuck Bednarik Award — Dec. 6 — Matt Elam
John Mackey Award — Dec. 6 — Jordan Reed
Lou Groza Award — Dec. 6 — Caleb Sturgis
Outland Trophy — Dec. 6 — Sharrif Floyd
Jim Thorpe — Dec. 6 — Matt Elam
Biletnikoff Award — Dec. 6 — Andre Debose
Maxwell Award — Dec. 6 — Mike Gillislee
Rimington Trophy — Jan. 12 — Jonotthan Harrison
Paul Hornung Award — TBD — Trey Burton