DeKALB, Ill. – Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith has been named one of 18 semifinalists for the 2017 Chuck Bednarik Award as the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year, the Maxwell Football Club announced. Smith, a sophomore in his first season as a starter, leads the FBS in tackles for loss with 20 (2.5/game) and ranks second with 9.5 quarterback sacks (1.19/game) through the Huskies’ first eight games. Nearly half of his 42 total tackles on the year have gone for loss. He also ranks ninth nationally in fumbles recovered and 10th in fumbles forced and has knocked down two passes.
NIU's Sutton Smith Named Semifinalist For Bednarik Award
