Collin Oliver and Nick Martin are expected to be among the most impressive defenders in college football next season.
On Monday, the preseason watch list for the Bednarik Award was released, featuring OSU’s Collin Oliver and Nick Martin. The award, named after legendary Penn linebacker Chuck Bednarik, is given to college football’s defensive player of the year.
Last season, NC State linebacker Payton Wilson won the award. Oliver and Martin will have an opportunity to become the first Big 12 player to win the award since Nebraska’s Ndamukong Suh in 2009 and the first in OSU history. Oliver has been a star for the Cowboys throughout his three-year career and is looking to cap off his tenure in Stillwater with another impressive season. After moving to linebacker last season, Oliver is expected to play closer to the line of scrimmage in 2024.The star defender has a knack for getting to the quarterback. Oliver has 22.5 sacks in his career and has an opportunity to get near the top of the Big 12’s career leaderboard. Last season, Oliver had 73 tackles, including 15.
As the Cowboys’ veteran squad hopes to make a run at the Big 12 title and the College Football Playoff, their impressive duo will lead one of the best defensive groups in Mike Gundy’s tenure.Ivan is a sports media student at Oklahoma State University. He has covered OSU athletics since 2022 and also covers the OKC Thunder for Inside The Thunder and Thunderous Intentions.
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