AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn defense has been one of the best in college football the past two seasons, so it was no surprise that defensive lineman Dontavius Russell and cornerback Javaris Davis were both named to the preseason Bednarik Award watch list Monday.
The award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995.
Russell, who has started the past three seasons for the Tigers, has made 40 total appearances at Auburn with 37 starts. The senior finished with 46 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and a forced fumble last year and has 117 tackles for his career. He'll be one of three players representing Auburn at SEC media days this week.
Davis, now a junior, emerged as one of the team's top cornerbacks last season with 29 tackles, six passes broken up and two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown. He also allowed just 17 yards after the catch, tops among all returning cornerbacks in the SEC with 122 or more coverage snaps.
Javaris Davis in coverage pic.twitter.com/qTWTPZTEQ2
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 15, 2018
Auburn is one of six SEC schools to have two players named to the preseason Bednarik Award watch list, which has close to 100 players on it.
Last year, safety Tray Matthews was the lone Auburn representative on the preseason Bednarik Award watch list, but linebacker Jeff Holland and cornerback Carlton Davis were both added in October.
Semifinalists for this year's Bednarik Award will be announced Oct. 29, and the three finalists will be revealed Nov. 19. The winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 6 with the formal presentation of the award to be made at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City on March 8, 2019.
Greg Ostendorf is a Senior Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf