Oregon defensive end Will Tukuafu is one of 55 players on the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given to college football's top defensive player.Tukuafu had already been named to the preseason watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award, which is given to the nation's top defensive end.
Tukuafu, who had 7 ½ sacks and 17 ½ tackles for loss last season, is one of nine Pacific-10 Conference players on the 55-man Bednarik list.
The 25-year-old Tukuafu is not only older than most of his teammates, but he also is one of the few married players on the team. He credits much of his success on the field with the support he receives at home from wife Krystal, who he married in February 2008.
"Marriage has been awesome," Tukuafu said. "I have the greatest wife in the world. She helps me so much, more than she probably even knows."
