USC Football: Adoree’ Jackson On 2016 Bednarik Watch List

USC football’s Adoree’ Jackson was named to the 2016 Bednarik Award watch list as a candidate to be named college football’s Defensive Player of the Year.

Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson is among the 90 players named to the 2016 Bednarik Award watch list. He’s USC football’s lone representative being looked at as the nation’s top defensive player.

Jackson has earned accolades for his versatility but he has proven himself to be a top-tier defensive back in his own right. His defensive capabilities contributed to his place as a finalist for the 2015 Hornung Award while the Pac-12, AP and Phil Steele named him an All-Conference first team player at defensive back.

USC will still look to deploy Jackson as an offensive weapon but his defensive prowess will likely be his most valuable contribution to the Trojans’ success in 2016.

Last year he had 35 tackles and eight deflections while forcing a key goal line fumble against Notre Dame and returning his first career interception for a touchdown against Cal.

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The talented athlete focused on track this spring in a bid to make the USA Olympic team. Unfortunately for Jackson, he fell just short of the cut at the Olympic finals. Fortunately for the Trojans, that means he will be back on the football field full time in time for fall camp.

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Elsewhere in the Pac-12, Colorado cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, Washington safety Budda Baker and cornerback Sidney Jones, Arizona State linebacker Salamo Fiso, Utah defensive end Kylie Fitts, Arizona safety Paul Magloire, Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas and UCLA defensive tackle Eddie Vanderdoes were placed on the list.

Notre Dame had one player listed — defensive tackle Isaac Rochell.

Alabama placed four players on the watch list who USC will have to contend with when the season opener kicks off in September. Defensive end Jonathan Allen, safety Eddie Jackson and linebackers Reuben Foster and Tim Williams made the cut.

The relatively new award has been won by a Trojan just once since it was first launched in 1995. Rey Maualuga beat out James Laurinaitis and Aaron Maybin in 2008 for the honor.