Kansas linebacker Ben Heeney appears on preseason Bednarik watch list

It’s time for college football’s annual tradition of preseason watch lists. Kansas senior linebacker Ben Heeney will likely make a few.

Heeney appeared Monday on the preliminary watch list for the 2014 Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced. Heeney was one of 76 players on the watch list for the Bednarik Award, given to the college defensive player of the year since 1995.

Heeney, a Hutchinson, Kan., native, had 88 tackles, including 11 1/2 tackles for loss, and three interceptions during his junior season. He racked up 112 tackles as a sophomore in 2012.

This story was originally published July 7, 2014 at 10:35 PM with the headline "Kansas linebacker Ben Heeney appears on preseason Bednarik watch list."