Indiana football redshirt senior defensive lineman Andre Carter was named to the Bednarik Award Watch List Monday morning, per a release from IU Athletics. Named after former University of Pennsylvania All-American and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Chuck Bednarik, the award honors the nation’s best collegiate defensive player.
The 2023 season will mark Carter’s first with the Hoosiers after he transferred from Western Michigan University this past offseason. Carter was highly sought after in the portal, as the Detroit, Michigan native ranked as the No. 21 overall player and No. 3 defensive lineman in the country according to 247 Sports.
[Related: Indiana football’s Aaron Casey named to Butkus Award Watch List]
The 6-foot-5-inch, 273-pound Carter was a consistent contributor in his first four seasons with the Broncos, but he emerged as a star in his 2022 senior campaign. Carter notched 68 total tackles, a team-best 13.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and seven sacks en route to second team All-Mid-American Conference honors.
Carter was the shining jewel of an Indiana transfer class that ranked among the top-15 in the nation in the offseason. Utilizing his final season of eligibility, Carter will step in as a premier pass-rusher on the Hoosiers’ defensive front.
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 13, and three finalists will be revealed Nov. 28. The winner is slated to be announced Dec. 7 during ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
