Sooners defensive lineman Jalen Redmond added to Bednarik Award watch list
Jalen Redmond is one of the most important pieces returning from the 2021 squad for Oklahoma in 2022. In 2021, Redmond was limited to eight games due to injury but was an effective player for the Sooners defensive line.
According to Pro Football Focus, only Nik Bonitto had a higher defensive grade than Redmond among players with at least 100 snaps. As a run defender, only Key Lawrence had a better run defense grade than Redmond. Redmond also had the fourth-highest grade pass rush grade behind Bonitto, Isaiah Thomas, and Perrion Winfrey.
In his eight games, Redmond recorded 19 tackles, eight for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
Heading into the 2022 season under a new defensive coordinator and with an opportunity to play a significant role for the Sooners, Redmond has a chance to be one of the standout players on this team. On Monday, he was named to the Bednarik Award watch list.
Big Red! Jalen Redmond named to the Bednarik Award Watch List. https://t.co/oiInJQHvbs@jalen_redmond | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/CuUJBCXCH7
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) August 1, 2022
Since its inaugural award in 1995, the Bednarik Award is handed out to the best defensive player in the country. The only Sooner to win the award was Teddy Lehman back in 2003. If Redmond could win the award, it would only be the fifth time that a defensive tackle had been given the honor. The other four were Ndamukong Suh, Aaron Donald, Jonathan Allen, and Jordan Davis.
If Jalen Redmond can play a complete season, he should have a productive year for the Oklahoma Sooners.
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