Thibodeaux, McKinley III Named Finalists For National Awards

[Charles Fischer]

(Press Release from Oregon Athletics)

 

EUGENE, Ore. — Kayvon Thibodeaux has been named one of four finalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, while Verone McKinley III was announced as one of three finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award.

 

The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football. The first Bednarik Award finalist in program history, Thibodeaux is also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, another prestigious national defensive player of the year award.

 

The Thorpe Award goes to the top defensive back in the nation. McKinley is the second Thorpe Award finalist in program history, joining Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (2015).

 

The other finalists for the Bednarik Award are Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama), Kyle Hamilton (Notre Dame), and Jordan Davis (Georgia).

 

The other finalists for the Thorpe Award are Coby Bryant (Cincinnati) and Jalen Pitre (Baylor).

 

The winners of both awards will be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 9 on ESPN.

 

DE Kayvon Thibodeaux – Chuck Bednarik Award Finalist
» Tied for No. 3 in the Pac-12 with six sacks this season despite missing multiple games due to injury.
» No. 5 in the Pac-12 with 10.0 tackles for loss.
» No. 12 among FBS edge defenders with a 90.8 pass-rush grade by Pro Football Focus.
» Dominated at UCLA with a career-high nine tackles and 4.5 TFLs, plus two sacks and a forced fumble.
» First Duck since 2007 with at least nine tackles, four TFLs and two sacks in a game.
» First Oregon player since 2017 with at least four TFLs in a game.
» Recorded his second multi-sack game of the season with two in Oregon's win vs. WSU.
» 37 total quarterback pressures and 24 hurries, according to PFF.
» Tied for 10th in program history with 18.0 career sacks.
» 33.5 career TFLs, fifth-most among active Power 5 players since the start of 2019.
» Walter Camp Player of the Year Semifinalist.
» Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist.
» Two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player and Defensive Lineman of the Week.

 

S Verone McKinley III – Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Finalist
» Tied for the national lead with five interceptions.

» Second among Ducks with 61 tackles, third-most among Pac-12 defensive backs.

» Four of five INTs came in a three-game stretch in September.

» Two interceptions vs. Stony Brook, the second multi-pick game of his career.

» First Duck with an interception in three straight games since 2012.

» Tied for fourth among active FBS players with 10 career interceptions.

» Two interceptions away from cracking the UO all-time top 10.

» Game-sealing interception in Oregon’s historic win at No. 3 Ohio State.

» Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week after Ohio State game.

» Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week following two-interception game vs. Stony Brook.