UF football players make preseason watch lists

Posted Aug 11, 2010 by Aaron Oberlin

Updated Aug 11, 2010 at 06:41 PM

Nearly a handful of Gators football players made preseason watch lists for the 2010 season.

Juniors John Brantley and Jeff Demps earned spots on the watch list for 74th Maxwell Award, senior safety Ahmad Black (Lakeland, Fla.) made the list for the 16th annual Chuck Bednarik Award and junior Chas Henry was named to the Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List.

The Maxwell Award goes to the outstanding player in America. Brantley will start at quarterback this year after Tim Tebow left for the NFL. The strong-throwing Brantley finished last season 36-for-48 for 410 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. Demps will be the prime running back this year in an offense that used to utilize the quarterback a lot to move the ball on the ground.

The Bednarik Award gets presented to the best defensive player - Black has started 26 games, with eight interception in his career.

The Ray Guy Award recognizes the best punter and must display team leadership, self-discipline and positive impact on the team’s success - Henry allowed only five punt returns all of last season, for the fewest in the nation.

The winners of the three awards will be announced as part of the ESPNU College Football Awards Show, which will be held Dec. 9.