Gators redshirt senior defensive end Zachary Carter has been added to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Wednesday.
The Bednarik Award honors the most outstanding defensive player in college football. Semifinalists will be revealed on Nov. 1, and the winner of the award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 9.
Carter has lived in opposing backfields so far this season, leading the SEC with 5.5 sacks, a figure which is also tied for fourth in the country. He’s also totaled 15 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss and two quarterback hurries.
He was named the SEC co-Defensive Lineman of the Week after he made a career-high three sacks and forced a fumble in the opener against Florida Atlantic.
UF cornerback Kaiir Elam was previously named a member of the watch list during the preseason, giving the Gators two of the 97 candidates.