Texas Tech senior linebacker Dakota Allen was named Monday morning to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football.

This is the second consecutive year that Allen has been named to the Bednarik watch list as he was on the list prior to the 2017 campaign. It is also the second preseason accolade for Allen this year as he was named to the Preseason All-Big 12 team as well.

Last year, in his return to the Red Raiders, Allen totaled 101 tackles, which led the team, six of those tackles for losses, as well as two sacks and two interceptions.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced October 29th, while the three finalists for the award will be unveiled on November 19th. The winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show, which airs on December 6th, live on ESPN.

Allen and the Red Raiders kick off the 2018 season in less than two months as Tech faces Ole Miss in the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff on Sept. 1 from NRG Stadium in Houston. Tech returns home the following weekend to host Lamar, the first of six home games this fall at Jones AT&T Stadium.

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