
Zaven Collins Named Semifinalist for the Bednarik Award
12/7/2020 1:02:00 PM | Football
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. –– The University of Tulsa's Zaven Collins was named today as a semifinalist for the 26th Chuck Bednarik Award given to the nation's Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year, it was announced by Maxwell Football Club Executive Director Mark Wolpert.
Collins is one of 18 Bednarik semifinalists. The field of contenders is comprised of fresh faces, all of whom are making their debuts as Bednarik Award semifinalists.
The linebacker has now been named to the semifinalist list for two of the nation's most prestigious defensive awards. Last week, Collins was named a semifinalist to the Butkus Award for the nation's best linebacker.

A 6'4" junior from Hominy, Okla., Collins has totaled 51 tackles, 11.5 TFLs for -49 yards, 4 sacks for -25 yards, 4 interceptions, 2 TDs off INTs, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, as well as one safety. He has also been named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week four times. Two of his interceptions were game-clinchers, including a pickoff against #19 SMU that ended any possible final scoring drive for the Mustangs and his pick-6 in overtime against Tulane that he took 96 yards for the game-winning score.
Collins was named the Bednarik Award's National Player of the Week for his season-opening performance against the No. 11-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. In that game, Collins recorded six tackles, all solos, with four of those for losses totaling 24 yards, including 3 sacks for -16 yards.
He later was named the National Defensive Player of the Week for two additional games, earning the honor once each from the Bronko Nagurski Award and the Walter Camp Foundation.
2020 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists
First | Last | School | Year | Position |
Patrick | Surtain | Alabama | Junior | CB |
Shemar | Jean-Charles | Appalachian State | Senior | CB |
Justin | Rice | Arkansas State | Senior | LB |
Jon | Rhattigan | Army | Senior | LB |
Myjai | Sanders | Cincinnati | Junior | DE |
Tarron | Jackson | Coastal Carolina | Senior | DE |
Azeez | Ojulari | Georgia | Sophomore | LB |
Daviyon | Nixon | Iowa | Junior | DT |
Jaelan | Phillips | Miami | Junior | DE |
Nick | Bolton | Missouri | Junior | LB |
Kyle | Hamilton | Notre Dame | Sophomore | S |
Jeremiah | Owusu-Koramoah | Notre Dame | Junior | LB |
Patrick | Jones | Pittsburgh | Senior | DE |
Rashad | Weaver | Pittsburgh | Senior | DE |
Trevon | Moehrig | TCU | Junior | S |
Joseph | Ossai | Texas | Junior | LB |
Zaven | Collins | Tulsa | Junior | LB |
Richie | Grant | UCF | Senior | S |
Players Mentioned
FB | Tre Lamb Temple Preview
Monday, October 20
FB | Tre Lamb ECU Preview
Monday, October 13
FB | Tre Lamb Memphis Preview
Monday, September 29
FB | Tre Lamb Tulane Preview
Monday, September 22