Gophers inside linebacker Cody Lindenberg was named to the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award on Monday. The Bednarik Award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football and has been awarded since 1995.
NEWS: #Gophers LB Cody Lindenberg (@cody_lindenberg) was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List.
The award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football. https://t.co/VFFSSRvleI pic.twitter.com/OWSJu4AIP9
— Tony Liebert (@TonyLiebert) 12 August 2024
Lindenberg is the only Gophers player among the 90 outstanding defensive players on the watch list.
Lindenberg is a native of Anoka, MN, and is entering his fifth season with Minnesota. 2022 was his first year as a full-time starter and he was second on the team with 71 total tackles. Last year, he battled injuries, missed nine games and finished the year with 31 total tackles.
Looking ahead to 2024, Lindenberg was one of four Gophers players invited to Big Ten Media Days, and all indications are that he will play a major role in new defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman’s aggressive game plan.
Lindenberg joins Darius Taylor (Maxwell/Doak Walker), Aireontae Ersery (Outland), Daniel Jackson (Biletnikoff) and Dragan Kesich (Lou Groza) as the fifth Gophers player to be on a preseason watch list for major awards.
