Pair of Nittany Lions Added to National Award Watchlists

Penn State senior wide receiver Jahan Dotson and senior safety Jaquan Brisker have been named to watchlists as we near closer to the 2021 season.

Dotson, the Nittany Lions top wide receiver and offensive star was named to the Maxwell Award watchlist. He’ll look to become the first Nittany Lion since Larry Johnson in 2002 to take home the honor. The Nazareth, PA native is coming off a breakout season posting 52 receptions for 884 yards and eight touchdowns. The Maxwell Award is given out annually to the nation’s best player in the eyes of the Maxwell Football Club. Last year’s recipient was Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, the first wide receiver to win the award since Michigan’s Desmond Howard in 1991.

Brisker, on the other hand, was named to the Bednarik Award watchlist, the award given out annually to the nation’s top defensive player. Brisker enters 2021 as the Nittany Lions most notable name and the leader of the defense. Last season, the junior college transfer was consistently graded as one of the nation’s top safeties. After deciding to return for one more season, Brisker is expected to once again be among the premier safeties in college football while also raising his draft stock for next spring. Three Nittany Lions have won the Bednarik Award a total of four times. Most recently, Dan Connor won the award in 2007 who followed Paul Posluszny, who won in 2005 and 2006. LaVar Arrington claimed the award in 1999.