CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson added three more watch list selections to the team’s 2018 preseason honor roll, as defensive ends Austin Bryant and Clelin Ferrell were named to the Ted Hendricks Award Watch List, and quarterback Kelly Bryant was named to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List.
First awarded in 2002, the Ted Hendricks Award recognizes the nation’s top defensive end. Criteria used to determine the winner include on-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to school and community, and academic preparedness. Clemson is one of four schools with multiple players among the 36 named to this year’s watch list, joining Alabama, Florida and Michigan.
Austin Bryant and Ferrell both return in 2018 after earning first-team All-America honors from various outlets in 2017. Bryant was a Football Writers Association of America first-team All-American, while Ferrell earned a first-team selection from the Associated Press.
The Unitas Award has been presented annually since 1987 to the nation’s top quarterback among college seniors or fourth-year juniors on schedule to graduate with their class. Criteria to be considered for the award include character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, leadership qualities and athletic accomplishments.
Kelly Bryant, who earned his bachelor’s degree in May, returns in 2018 after helping lead the Tigers to a 12-2 record and the program’s third consecutive ACC title last season. Bryant’s predecessor, Deshaun Watson, won the Unitas Award in 2016.
In addition to their inclusion on the Hendricks and Unitas watch lists, members of Clemson’s 2018 squad have earned watch list honors for the Maxwell, Bednarik, O’Brien, Doak Walker, Mackey, Rimington, Butkus, Outland and Nagurski awards.
