After getting snubbed from the semifinalist list for the Butkus Award, linebacker Mike Hull was added to the watch list for the 20th Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to the nation’s best defensive player.

The Maxwell Football Club announced today the decision to add Hull based on his noteworthy play so far this season. The original watch list was composed of players who were selected based on their performances during the 2013 season.

Hull leads the Big Ten and is sixth in the country with 11.9 tackles per game. He has collected 83 defensive stops, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, and a forced fumble so far this season. His 6.7 solo tackles per game is also tops in the Big Ten and ninth nationally.

In the thrilling double-overtime loss to Ohio State on national television this past Saturday night, the senior linebacker collected 19 tackles, tied for the best performance by a Big Ten defender this season. His interception early in the fourth quarter gave Penn State its best starting field position of the game, leading to an eventual touchdown that pulled the Lions within three points of the lead after trailing 17-0 at halftime.

Since the Bednarik Award’s inception in 1995, just over one-fifth of the winners are from Penn State. LaVar Arrington took home the award in 1999, followed by Paul Posluszny and Dan Connor winning back-t0-back-to-back from 2005 to 2007.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on November 3 and three finalists will be announced November 24. The winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show, which will be held on December 11.