CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Redshirt senior defensive tackle Gerald Willis III was among those players added to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday.
 
The original watch list was comprised of players based on their performances from last season, and included senior Jaquan Johnson and junior Shaquille Quarterman. The Maxwell Football Club added several players because of their noteworthy play through the first half of the 2018 regular season.

Willis III, who has started all six games for the Hurricanes, is tied for second in the nation and ranks first in the ACC with an average of 2.1 tackles for loss per game.
 
After missing all of 2017, Willis III returned to the field for Miami’s season opener on Sept. 2 and delivered an overpowering performance in the trenches vs. LSU. Willis III posted a career-high four tackles for loss – the most in a single game by a Hurricane since 2008 – and was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his performance.

Willis III was named the Outland Trophy National Defensive Player of the Month on Fri., Oct. 5.

He has had at least three tackles for loss in three of six games this season, posting three against both Toledo (Sept. 15) and FIU (Sept. 22). The New Orleans native has totaled 28 tackles, a team-best 12 tackles for loss, a pair of sacks and one pass breakup.