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The Vols as a football program aren’t getting much love these days, but one of their players just received some good news.
Junior safety Nigel Warrior was named to the watch list for the Bednarik Award, which is given to the nation’s top defensive player. The trio of Derek Barnett, Cameron Sutton, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin were the last Vols to be named to the watch list in 2016.
Nigel Warrior has been named to the 2018 @BednarikAward Watch List.#PoweredByTheT #bednarikwatchme pic.twitter.com/vSw1UbjxVP
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 16, 2018
Warrior finished 2017 with 83 tackles that included three tackles for loss and three forced fumbles. He had only one interception, but made it count when he returned it for a 70-yard touchdown against Missouri.
He figures to be a key piece in Tennessee’s backfield as well as their overall defense. Warrior should make some major noise in 2018.
The winner will be announced in early December during the College Football Awards show.