Penn State linebacker Abdul Carter, cornerback Kalen King, and defensive end Chop Robinson were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list Monday, which is awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football.

Carter, a sophomore, led Penn State with 6.5 sacks last season. His 56 tackles were second-most on the team behind safety Ji’Ayir Brown. The Philadelphia native also forced two fumbles over 12 appearances.

King’s three interceptions, meanwhile, were good for Penn State’s second-most behind Brown as well. The Detroit native also made 30 tackles and forced a fumble against Central Michigan.

Robinson played a significant role in Manny Diaz’s defense in his first season. His 5.5 sacks were second on the team behind Carter and tied for seventh in the Big Ten. The Gaithersburg, Maryland, native also made 26 total tackles, 10 of them for loss.

Four Nittany Lions have won the Bednarik Award since its inception in 1995, which is more than any other school. Linebacker LaVar Arrington was the recipient in 1999, and fellow linebacker Paul Posluszny won twice in 2005 and 2006. Linebacker Dan Connor is Penn State’s most recent winner, doing so in 2007.

The semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Monday, November 13, and the three finalists will be announced two weeks later on Tuesday, November 28. The winner will be unveiled on Thursday, December 7, at The Home Depot College Football Awards.