Miami's Spence Named a Bednarik Award Semifinalist
Nov. 2, 2011
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami senior linebacker Sean Spence is one of 16 players named semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive player, as announced by Maxwell Football Club President Ron Jaworski.
The recognition for Spence comes one week after the Miami native was named as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, given to the nation’s top linebacker.
Spence leads the Canes with 75 tackles on the season – ranking 12th in the nation. 41 of those stops have been solo and his 10.0 tackles for loss rank 18th among all defenders nationally. On three occasions this season, Spence has been named the ACC Linebacker of the Week – earning conference recognition more than any other BCS player.
The Hurricanes are set to take on the Duke Blue Devils in Miami’s Homecoming game this Saturday at Sun Life Stadium. The game will be televised on the ACC Network with kick-off set for 3:09 p.m.
| Player | Class | Pos | College |
| Mark Barron | Sr. | DB | University of Alabama |
| Arthur Brown | Jr. | LB | Kansas State University |
| Vontaze Burfict | Jr. | LB | Arizona State University |
| Morris Claiborne | Jr. | DB | Lousiana State University |
| Lavonte David | Sr. | LB | University of Nebraska |
| Dont’a Hightower | Jr. | LB | University of Alabama |
| Melvin Ingram | Sr. | DL | University of South Carolina |
| Luke Kuechly | Jr. | LB | Boston College |
| Tyrann Mathieu | So. | DB | Lousiana State University |
| Whitney Mercilus | Jr. | DL | Unviersity of Illinois |
| Sean Spence | Sr. | LB | University of Miami |
| Devon Still | Sr. | DL | Penn State University |
| Manti Te’o | Jr. | LB | University of Notre Dame |
| Chase Thomas | Sr. | LB | Stanford University |
| Courtney Upshaw | Sr. | LB | University of Alabama |
| Jerel Worthy | Jr. | DL | Michigan State University |
