Campbell added to Bednarik list

Kansas State defensive end/outside linebacker Ian Campbell is among eight Big 12 defenders on the 2007 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December.

Campbell, a native of Cimarron, Kan., is coming off an incredible sophomore campaign and is one of just four returning players nationally to record at least 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for losses in 2006.

Last season, Campbell was among the nation's top pass rushers and earned All-Big 12 and All-American honors after totaling 67 tackles, 17.5 for losses, with 11.5 sacks. His 11.5 sacks tied the Kansas State single-season record and ranked second in the Big 12 Conference and 10th nationally. Campbell collected at least one sack in nine of 13 total games last season and was also a semi-finalist for the Hendricks Award.

The 2006 Houston Chronicle Defensive Player of the Year, Campbell was the league's leading tackler among defensive linemen, led the Big 12 in tackles for losses and ranked third in the league in fumble recoveries during league play with three.

The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented since 1995 and is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, a former University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Eagle great. Mr. Bednarik is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the NFL Hall of Fame.

The honor marks the second time this month that Campbell has been named to a preseason watch list. He is also a candidate for the Bronko Nagurski Award.

Campbell and Kansas State open the 2007 season with a nationally-televised game at Auburn on Sept. 1. Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m. CDT at Jordan-Hare Stadium.