For the second consecutive week, a Pitt defensive player has won a national award.
A week after fellow defensive end Rashad Weaver won the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week, Patrick Jones was named the Bednarik Award National Defensive Player of the Week.
Jones becomes the first Pitt player since Ejuan Price in 2015 to win the honor. The Virginia native led the way for the Pitt defense against Louisville’s Malik Cunningham, sacking him three times and limiting him to just 107 passing yards.
Jones returned to Pitt this season in order to improve his 2021 NFL Draft stock and he appears to be doing just that as he’s being mentioned by some as a potential first-round pick.
The Bednarik Award is presented by the Maxwell Football Club to College footballs top defensive player of the year. Former Pitt great Aaron Donald won the award back in 2013.
The Pitt defense, which tied for the most sacks in the country last season, are leading the country in sacks this season with 17. They also are second in total defense (177 yards/game), second in rushing defense (56 yards/game) and third in passing defense (121 yards/game).
Jones was also named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week on Monday. He celebrated his 22nd birthday on Tuesday.
Couldn’t be prouder of this defense.
Hail to Pitt!