IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa seniors Desmond King and C.J. Beathard were named to the 2016 Bednarik and Maxwell Trophy Watch lists, respectively. The announcement was made today by the Maxwell Football Club. The trophies are presented annually to the National Defensive Player of the Year and the National College Football Player of the Year.
King (5-foot-11, 200-pounds) started all 14 games at cornerback a year ago, tying the Iowa single-season record and ranking second in the country with eight interceptions while recording 72 tackles and a team-high 13 pass breakups in 2015.
The Detroit, Michigan, native was named a unanimous consensus All-American, a recipient of the Jim Thorpe award — given to the nation’s top cornerback — and a recipient of the Jack Tatum Award in 2015. In addition, King was named one of five finalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Conference Defensive Back of the Year, and was voted first team All-Big Ten by Walter Camp, Associated Press, AFCA, FWAA, Sporting News, USA Today, SI.com, ESPN.com, Athlon Spots, ProFootballFocus.com, Phil Steele, and College Sports Madness.
Beathard (6-foot-2, 209-pounds) started all 14 games at quarterback last season, passing for 2,809 yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions, while rushing for 237 yards and six touchdowns.
A team captain in 2015, Beathard earned second team All-Big Ten honors by league coaches and media and third team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele. The Franklin, Tennessee, native was also named 2016 Preseason second team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports.
The Maxwell award has been awarded to College Football’s Player of the Year since 1937 and is named in honor of Robert Maxwell for his contributions to the game as a player, sportswriter, and official. The Bednarik award has been presented to the Nation’s top defensive player since 1995 and was named after Chuck Bednarik, a former Penn standout and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame since 1969.
The Maxwell and Bednarik award, in conjunction with the NCFAA, will announce semifinalists on Oct. 31 while finalists for each award will be revealed Nov. 21. Winners of the prestigious awards will be unveiled during the Home Depot College Football Awards show on Dec. 8.
King and Beathard lead the Hawkeyes in their season opener against Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 3 inside historic Kinnick Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting the UI Athletic Ticket Office at (800) IA-HAWKS, or online at hawkeyesports.com.