Maryland's leading tackler last season Jermaine Carter Jr. is receiving national attention prior to the start of training camp. (Courtesy Patrick Semansky / AP)

College Park, MD – Maryland senior linebacker Jermaine Carter Jr. has been named to the preseason Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Monday.

The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995.

Carter Jr., who’s been named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten in each of the last two years, has started a team-high 25 consecutive games dating back to the start of the 2015 season. He led the team in tackles in 2015 and 2016, totaling 213 during that span.

The Fort Washington native started all 13 games and led the Terps with 110 tackles during his junior season in 2016. His 8.5 tackles per game ranked seventh in the Big Ten and he was second on team with 6.0 sacks and third with 9.0 tackles for loss.

Carter Jr. added to his stat line by forcing two fumbles, four pass breakups and grabbing an interception that he returned for a touchdown. He had a big game in the regular season finale win against Rutgers, posting a career-high 15 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

(from University of Maryland Sports Information)