College football is almost back and here are a few players you may want to check out, courtesy of the Maxwell Football Club.

The organization announced the list of candidates for the 2024 Bednarik Award on Monday. The award honors the best defensive player of the season.

Seven local schools have placed players on the list, including two each from Texas A&M and Oklahoma State. Others include Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron and Oklahoma safety and former Denton Ryan star Billy Bowman Jr.

Another name to keep an eye on: Texas State’s Ben Bell. The Bobcats aren’t a power conference football program like the other local schools, nor are they historically successful. But Bell still established himself during his standout junior season, in which he recorded 10 sacks and 57 tackles, helping his team win the First Responder Bowl.

Click here to see the full watchlist.

Full list of locals:

DE Ben Bell, Texas State

LB Nick Martin, Oklahoma State

LB Collin Oliver, Oklahoma State

DT Shemar Turner, Texas A&M

DE Elijah Roberts, SMU

DB Jahdae Barron, Texas

S. Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma

LB Namdi Obiazor, TCU

DE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

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