UConn’s Lyle McCombs, Trevardo Williams On ‘Watch’ Lists

Here’s the release just sent out by UConn:

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (July 9, 2012) – University of Connecticut sophomore running back Lyle McCombs (Staten Island, N.Y.) has been named to the 76^th annual Maxwell Award watch list, while senior defensive end Trevardo Williams (Bridgeport, Conn.) was named to the 18^th annual Bednarik Award watch list by the Maxwell Football Club.

The Maxwell Award has been given to the country’s top play in collegiate football since 1937 and the Bednarik Award, given out since 1995, is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player.

In 2011, McCombs was named a Freshman All-American by the Football Writer’s Association of America and was a Second Team All-BIG EAST selection.  He ranked 29^th in the nation and second in the conference as well as second among freshmen with 95.92 rushing yards per game.  McCombs rushed for 1,151 yards to become the 14^th Husky player to reach the 1,000-yard marker.  He averaged 4.2 yards per carry and ran for seven touchdowns.

Williams was honored as a Second Team All-BIG EAST selection as a junior after leading Connecticut with 12.2 sacks and was second in tackles for loss with 15.0.  He totaled 43 tackles on the season, 20 of which came in the final five games of the season.  Williams ranked second in the country and first in the BIG EAST 1.04 sacks per game.  His 19 career sacks currently rank sixth all-time at UConn.

Semifinalists for the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced on October 29 and three finalists for each award will be revealed on November 19.  The winners of the 2012 Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show held on December 6.