SOUTHHAMPTON, Pa. – University of Hawai'i linebacker Darius Muasau is one of 90 players who were selected to the watch list of the 27^th annual Chuck Bednarik Award. Since 1995, the award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year.
 
Muasau, a sophomore from 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu, is one of eight players from the Mountain West. The first-team all-conference linebacker led the FBS in 2020 with 68 solo tackles and ranked fifth nationally in tackles per game (11.8). He was named the New Mexico Bowl Most Outstanding Defensive Player after posting nine tackles, a sack, three quarterback hurries and snagged his first career interception in UH's 28-14 win over Houston.
 
The UH defender also earned Phil Steele All-America honorable mention honors a year ago and was one of five finalists for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year award. Muasau finished the pandemic-shortened season with 104 overall tackles, while also leading the team in tackles-for-loss (9.5), sacks (4.5), and quarterback hurries (7).
 
The namesake of the Chuck Bednarik Award is a former standout at the University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Eagles. Bednarik is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame's Class of '69 and the NFL Hall of Fame's Class of '67.
 
The winner of the 2021 Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 9, 2021.
 
The last UH player named to the Bednarik Award Watch List was Jahalani Tavai in 2017. Linebacker Solomon Elimimian was also named to the watch list in 2008.