TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo senior defensive back Avery Smith has been selected to the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list, the Maxwell Football Club announced today. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player.
Smith, who was one of only four players from the Mid-American Conference to be named to the preseason watch list, was previously named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list, which honors the nation's top cornerback.
A Second-Team All-MAC selection a season ago, Smith totaled 58 tackles, 16 passes defended, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions.