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Published Aug 1, 2022
Watch List Watch: ND's Foskey, Joseph make Chuck Bednarik Award list
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Inside ND Sports
Staff

The watch lists have arrived.

The annual tradition that signals college football is just around the corner started in July and concluded Monday as teams engage in or prepare to start preseason camps.

Inside ND Sports has kept track of the Notre Dame mentions on the various watch lists in what we fittingly call our Watch List Watch. Here are the latest additions:

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Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List: S Brandon Joseph and DE Isaiah Foskey  

Notre Dame safety Brandon Joseph and defensive end Isaiah Foskey have been recognized as two of 90 players named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List on Tuesday. It's Joseph's fourth award watch list recognition this preseason (also Thorpe, Lott and Nagurski) and Foskey's third (also Nagurski and Lombardi).

Since 1995, the Chuck Bednarik Award has been awarded to the best defensive player in college football. The award's namesake was an All American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple-year, All-Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles.

He is a member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full time player on both offense and defense.

Alabama, Georgia and Clemson each have three candidates on the list. Notre Dame is one of nine schools with two.

Although only one Notre Dame player — Manti Te’o (2012) — has claimed the award, Foskey and Joseph are both capable of becoming the second.

In 2021, Foskey finished his junior season with a team-leading 11 sacks, third on the Notre Dame all-time single-season list. He was named a 2021 Phil Steele All-American (third team) for his efforts. He registered 5.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks as a sophomore.

Joseph was a first-team All-America award winner in 2020 while at Northwestern. Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis won the Bednarik Award last season.

  Mannelly Award: Michael Vinson  

For the second year in a row, Notre Dame long snapper Michael “Milk” Vinson finds himself on the Patrick Mannelly Award preseason watch list.

It’ll be his first year competing for the award, though, as a scholarship player.

Irish head coach Marcus Freeman awarded the 6-2, 230-pound walk-on from Winnetka, Ill., a scholarship last December, roughly two weeks after Freeman was elevated from defensive coordinator to replace Brian Kelly.

The grad senior will be ND’s No. 1 long-snapping option for the third straight season in 2022.

The award, named after former Duke and Chicago Bears special teams standout Patrick Mannelly, is only in its fourth year of existence.

Former Notre Dame long snapper John Shannon, Vinson’s predecessor and mentor, took home the inaugural award in 2019.

Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List: Jayson Ademilola, Isaiah Foskey, Michael Mayer, Jarrett Patterson

Four Notre Dame players were named Monday to the Rotary Lombardi Award preseason watch list, including junior tight end Michael Mayer, who appears on four other watch lists (Mackey, Walter Camp, Biletnikoff and Maxwell).

Joining him in the contention for the Lombardi Award are grad senior defensive tackle Jayson Ademilola, senior defensive end Isaiah Foskey and grad senior offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson.

The award, given out since 1970, is named after legendary coach Vince Lombardi. It has been given, with notable exception, each year since to the nation’s top offensive lineman/tight end, defensive lineman or linebacker.

The field of eligibility was expanded in 2017 to include all position players before reverting back to the original criteria in 2021. The 2017 through 2020 winners are not recognized by the current organizers.

Five former Irish players have taken home the award — Walt Patulski (1971), Ross Browner (1977), Chris Zorich (1990), Aaron Taylor (1993) and Manti Te’o (2012).

Walter Camp Award: TE Michael Mayer

Tight end Michael Mayer found his way on a fourth preseason award watch list Friday. Mayer was one of 52 players named a candidate for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award. Mayer and Georgia’s Brock Bowers are the only two tight ends on the list.

Beginning in 1967, Notre Dame has claimed the award four times, tied for second with Ohio State and Oklahoma; USC has won it six times.

In 1977, Irish tight end Ken MacAfee became the first Notre Dame recipient; he is also the only tight end to win the trophy. Tim Brown, Raghib “Rocket” Ismail and Manti Te’o were also named Walter Camp Players of the Year.

Last year, running back Michigan State’s Kenneth Walker III became the first running back since 2015 (Derrick Henry) to earn the award.

In mid-November, today’s watch list will be trimmed to 10 semi-finalists. Then, each FBS head coach and sports information director will vote on the recipient award.

On Aug. 1, the Bednarik Award will be the final preseason award watch list.

Wuerffel Trophy Watch List: LB Jack Kiser

On Thursday, linebacker Jack Kiser was among 115 players named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. It’s his first appearance on a 2022 preseason watch list.

The Wuerffel Trophy is presented annually to college football’s most impactful leaders in community service, one who exemplifies community service with leadership achievement on and off the field. The award’s namesake, Danny Wuerffel, played at Florida from 1993-96, where he won a Heisman Trophy. He is known for his work with Desire Street Ministries.

According to Notre Dame Athletics, Kiser’s nomination comes following his extensive work off the field:

Tackled raising funds and being the team relation representative for the Fighting Irish Fight for Life (FIFFL) campaign, where a patient in the pediatric hematology/oncology unit of South Bend’s Beacon Children’s Hospital became a teammate of the football team. Raised a total of $56,500 for the FIFFL Food Pantry at South Bend’s Beacon Children’s Hospital

Also served as a representative on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and was named executive lead for the Irish On 3 campaign, where he coordinated events and marketing projects to promote the unifying of all student-athletes at the University of Notre Dame to support one another on and off the court.

On the field, Kiser appeared in 13 games last season, starting in eight. He registered 45 tackles (26 solo, 19 assisted), forced two fumbles and snatched two interceptions. He has made 28 total appearances in an Irish uniform, making his first start as a sophomore,

In 2018, Drue Tranquill was the first and only Irish player to claim the award, which began in 2005. Last year’s winner was Stanford quarterback Isaiah Sanders.

Paul Hornung Award Watch List: Chris Tyree

Notre Dame junior running back Chris Tyree on Thursday was one of 52 college football players named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, released by the Louisville Sports Commission.

Since 2010, the award has been given to the nation’s most versatile player. The award is named after Paul Hornung, a Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer and Notre Dame’s 1956 Heisman Trophy winner.

Former Irish running back/punt returner Kyren Williams — now a rookie with the Los Angeles Rams — was one of five finalists for the honor last season. Marcus Jones of Houston was the 2021 winner.

A Notre Dame football player has yet to win the award.

Tyree was Williams’ backup last season for the Irish (11-2) and also returned kickoffs. He was slowed for much of the season by a turf toe injury.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pounder rushed for 222 yards on 56 carries and one TD in 2021, while catching 24 passes for 258 yards and two TDs. He averaged 26.7 yards on 13 kickoff returns.

Earlier this month, Tyree was named to the watch list for the Doak Walker Award, given annually to the nation's top running back.

Lou Groza Award Watch List: K Blake Grupe

On Wednesday, Notre Dame transfer kicker Blake Grupe was named as one of 30 players on the Lou Groza Award Preseason Watch List.

The Lou Groza Award is presented annually to the top collegiate place-kicker. Groza, the award’s namesake, played at Ohio State in the 1940s before going on to have a Hall of Fame career with the NFL's Cleveland Browns. The award was established in 1992 in his honor.

The Irish have never had a place-kicker claim the trophy. Last year. Michigan’s Jake Moody won the award.

Grupe arrived at Notre Dame this winter after setting Arkansas State records in field goals made (64), PAT made (162) and points scored among all players (354). The sixth-year grad senior is one of 13 players on the watch list to have made at least 18 field goal attempts (20) while converting better than 75% (80.0%) of the time.

After an average spring, Grupe enters camp in a kicking competition with sophomore Josh Bryan.

Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List: S Brandon Joseph and DE Isaiah Foskey

Notre Dame safety Brandon Joseph and defensive end Isaiah Foskey have been recognized as two of 85 players named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List on Tuesday. It's Joseph's third award watch list recognition this preseason and Foskey's first.

Since 1993, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded to the best defensive player in college football. The award's namesake played for Minnesota from 1927-29 and was a Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer.

Although only one Notre Dame player — Manti Te’o (2012) — has claimed the award, Foskey and Joseph are both capable of becoming the second.

In 2021, Foskey finished his junior season with a team-leading 11 sacks, third on the Notre Dame all-time single-season list. He was named a 2021 Phil Steele All-American (third team) for his efforts. He registered 5.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks as a sophomore.

Joseph was a first-team All-America award winner in 2020 while at Northwestern and named to the Lott Impact Trophy and Thorpe Award Watch Lists this preseason.

Alabama's Will Anderson Jr. won the Nagurski Trophy last year.

Outland Trophy: OL Josh Lugg and Jarrett Patterson

On Tuesday, offensive linemen Josh Lugg and Jarrett Patterson earned spots on the Outland Trophy Watch List. Patterson has now been named to two award watch lists, while it's Lugg’s first. A total of 89 players appear on the list.

Patterson was previously named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for an award that goes to the top center in college football.

The Outland Trophy is awarded annually to the best interior lineman — offensive or defensive. The award is named after John H. Outland, a College Football Hall of Famer that played during the late 1890s.

Lugg is entering his sixth season on the Notre Dame football team. After making three starts in 2020, he started 12 games last season. He and Patterson aided the Irish offense in averaging 426 yards per game of total offense, averaging over 143 yards per game rushing (4.1 yards per carry).

Lugg is slated to start at right guard this season, while Patterson is penciled in as the starting left guard, though he could return to playing center.

In 1946, Irish offensive tackle George Connor was the first player to claim the award. Since then, Bill Fischer (1948) and Ross Browner (1979) have brought the trophy back to Notre Dame.

Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis took home last year’s trophy.

Thorpe Award Watch List: S Brandon Joseph

In his first year in an Irish uniform, former All-America safety Brandon Joseph has been selected as one of 35 watch list candidates for the Jim Thorpe Award, announced on Monday. It’s Joseph’s second appearance on the Thorpe Award Watch List, as he was named to it last season while at Northwestern.

Previously, Joseph earned a spot on the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List.

The Jim Thorpe Award is presented annually to the nation’s best defensive back. The award’s namesake was a Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer. He also won gold in the decathlon and pentathlon in the 1912 Olympics before playing baseball for six years sporadically, mostly in the Major Leagues.

The award began in 1986, and Notre Dame is yet to have a player claim the trophy. Cincinnati’s Coby Bryant claimed last year’s award.

Butkus Award Watch List: LB JD Bertrand

JD Bertrand is a recipient of his third watch list this season. On Monday, Bertrand earned a spot along with 51 players on the Butkus Award Watch List. Earlier this preseason, Bertrand was selected to the Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List and AFCA Good Works Team Watch List.

The Butkus Award has been given to the top linebacker in college football for the past 37 seasons. Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer Dick Butkus is the namesake of the award. He played at Illinois for three seasons before spending eight seasons in the NFL.

Over the past 10 seasons, an Irish player has won the award three times. In 2012, Manti Te’o was the first Notre Dame recipient. Jaylon Smith (2015) and Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (2020) also took the trophy.

Georgia’s Nakobe Dean won the award last year.

Rimington Trophy Watch List: OL Jarrett Patterson

For the third consecutive year, Jarrett Patterson found himself on the Rimington Trophy preseason watch list for the top center in college football.

But Patterson, a graduate senior, might not play center for the Irish in 2022. Offensive line coach Harry Hiestand has considered moving Patterson to left guard and putting senior Zeke Correll in the starting lineup at center.

Patterson has certainly earned the right to be considered among the best centers in college football. He started 34 games at the position for Notre Dame in the last three seasons.

No Notre Dame player has won the Rimington Trophy since it was first awarded in 2000. Iowa's Tyler Linderbaum won the award last season.

John Mackey Award Watch List: TE Michael Mayer

For the third time in five days, Michael Mayer found himself on another watch list. The John Mackey Award, which recognizes college football's top tight end, rightfully included the Notre Dame rising junior on its preseason watch list of 54 tight ends.

The John Mackey Award infamously didn't include Mayer as one of its three finalists last season despite Mayer setting Notre Dame single-season records for receptions (71), receiving yards (840) and touchdowns receptions (7) for tight ends. Colorado State's Trey McBride won the 2021 John Mackey Award.

Only one Notre Dame tight end has won the John Mackey Award since its inception in 2000: Tyler Eifert in 2012.

Biletnikoff Award Watch List: TE Michael Mayer

Another day, another watch list for Mayer. And this one might be the most impressive so far.

Mayer was one of 43 players to earn a spot on the Biletnikoff Award watch list. Previously, Mayer was named to the Maxwell Award watch list.

The Biletnikoff Award has been given to the top FBS receiver regardless of position in college football since 1992. Its namesake is Fred Biletnikoff, a former Florida State wide receiver (1962-64) who went on to be inducted into the College and Pro Football Hall of Fames. A tight end has never won the award, despite being eligible along with running backs.

The only Notre Dame player to take home the trophy was Golden Tate in 2009. That season, Tate had 93 receptions for 1,496 yards (16.1 yards per catch) and 15 touchdowns.

Last year’s winner was Pittsburgh’s Jordan Addison. This offseason, Addison transferred to USC.

Doak Walker Award Watch List: RB Chris Tyree

On Wednesday, Chris Tyree was one of 74 players named to the preseason watch list for the Doak Walker Award, which honors the best running back in the country.

The award began in 1990, named after former Southern Methodist running back Doak Walker. The former College Football and NFL Hall of Famer played at SMU during the 1945 and 1947-49 seasons; he missed the 1946 season after enrolling in the U.S. Army.

Tyree, Rivals’ No. 4 all-purpose back in 2020, started to tap into his potential as a freshman in 2020 with 73 carries for 496 yards (6.8 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. As a sophomore, he took a step backward with 222 rushing yards on 56 carries (3.9 yards per carry) for only one touchdown.

He was also more effective in the receiving game his first year, catching 24 passes for 258 yards (10.8 yards per catch) and two touchdowns compared to eight receptions for 65 yards (8.1 yards per catch) and no touchdowns in 2021.

In 2022, Tyree will have plenty of opportunities to shine. Sophomore Logan Diggs’ availability to start the season is in question following surgery to repair a torn labrum, and freshman Jadarian Price is sidelined for the remainder of 2022 after rupturing an Achilles tendon this summer.

But Tyree also needs to stay healthy himself if he wants to be the first Irish running back to win the award. During spring practice, an ankle injury hindered practice participation. Last year, he missed the USC game due to a turf toe injury. Tyree is expected to be healthy heading into camp.

Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III claimed the award last season.

AFCA Good Works Team Watch List: LB JD Bertrand

JD Bertrand was one of 114 players — 76 FBS, 38 combined divisions (FCS, D-II, D-III & NAIA) — named to the 31st American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team watch list. Seven head coaches were also named to the watch list.

The AFCA Good Works Team candidates demonstrate strengths in the classroom, athletic leadership and community. The final roster includes 23 recipients — 11 players from the FBS, 11 from other combined divisions, and one honorary head coach. According to the AFCA, each player must be actively involved with a charitable organization or service group while maintaining strong academic standing.

Bertrand is the president of Notre Dame’s chapter of Uplifting Athletes, a non-profit organization that inspires the Rare Disease Community with hope through the power of sport.

In 2018, tight end Nic Weishar was named captain of the AFCA Good Works Team. Weishar started the Andrew Weishar Foundation, which provides direct financial relief for families of adolescents and young adults battling cancer. Weishar’s 21-year-old brother, Andrew, died after a three-year battle with cancer in 2013.

Past Notre Dame players honored on the team include Mike Golic Jr. (2012) and Dayne Crist (2011). Last season, Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa was named to the watch list.

Maxwell Award Watch List: TE Michael Mayer

Eighty-five players were named Monday to the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award, which recognizes the best player in college football regardless of position. Only two tight ends made the list: Notre Dame's Mayer and Georgia's Brock Bowers.

The Maxwell Award, which was first bestowed in 1937, hasn't been given to a tight end since college football permanently switched to a two-platoon system in 1965. But a pair of two-way ends won the Maxwell Award before that shift: Notre Dame's Leon Hart (1949) and Navy's Ron Beagle (1954).

Mayer's chance of ending that tight end drought seems slim, but he certainly belongs in the conversation of best players in college football.

Six Notre Dame players previously won the Maxwell Award: Hart, quarterback Johnny Lattner (1952 and 1953), linebacker Jim Lynch (1966), defensive end Ross Browner (1977), quarterback Brady Quinn (2006) and linebacker Manti Te'o (2012).

Alabama quarterback Bryce Young won the Maxwell Award last season.

Lott IMPACT Trophy: S Brandon Joseph, LB JD Bertrand

The Lott IMPACT Trophy named its 42 watch list candidates well before the other awards back in May. Two Notre Dame players made the list: safety Brandon Joseph and linebacker JD Bertrand.

The Lott IMPACT Trophy recognizes the defensive player who had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity.

Joseph transferred to Notre Dame this past offseason following his junior season at Northwestern. In the past two seasons, Joseph totaled 121 tackles and eight interceptions in 18 games. He was named to multiple All-America teams following his sophomore season.

Bertrand was Notre Dame's leading tackler (101) last season as a junior. He registered at least four tackles in each of Notre Dame's 13 games with his season high of 11 coming against Toledo. Bertrand also tallied seven tackles for a loss, four quarterback hurries, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one recovered fumble and one pass breakup.

Only one Notre Dame player, linebacker Manti Te'o in 2012, has won the Lott IMPACT Trophy, which was first awarded in 2004. Michigan defensive end Aidan Hutchinson won the award last season.

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