The Maxwell Football Club released their preseason watch list for the Bednarik award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive player. The only MACster on the list was Heath Harding, cornerback for the Miami RedHawks. The award was first given to Pat Fitzgerald in 1995. A defensive back has only managed to win the award three times in it’s history.
Harding was a standout prep player while at Dayton Christian, rushing for over 5000 yards at 14.1 per attempt. He was a Mr. Ohio nominee.
His career at Miami started off with a bang, where he started 9 out of 12 games in 2013, and had three interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.