Updated with additional comments.
Senior defensive end Dee Ford and junior tight end CJ. Uzomah were both named to the Chuck Bednarik and John Mackey awards preseason watch lists for 2013 this week. Ford was one of 75 players to be named on the Bednarik Award watch list, which is given to the top defensive player in college football. "I'm very surprised to hear that I'm on the Bednarik Award list. This just makes me want to solidify my qualifications and work even harder to show that Auburn should be represented on this list," Ford said.\0x2028
Ford, a native of Odenville, is a three-year letterman at defensive end and has emerged as a veteran leader not only on the defensive side of the ball, but for the whole team. He has 64 career tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 10 career sacks.
"It's been a long journey for me, and I owe any success to my strength coaches, football coaches, and teammates for being patient with me while I developed," Ford said. "I'm very thankful for this new responsibility and the opportunity we have this season."
Ford also earned preseason all-SEC recognition from Athlon Sports. The semi-finalists will be named Oct. 29, and the three finalists will be named Nov. 3.
The winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show held Dec. 5.
The formal presentations of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala hosted by Harrah's entertainment Atlantic City March 7, 2014. Uzomah was also among 37 players for the Mackey Award preseason watch list, which is given to the most outstanding tight end in college football.\0x2028
"It's an honor to be mentioned among the top tight ends this preseason, but I realize there is still a lot of work to be done," Uzomah said. "Individual achievements are a blessing and I give the glory to God, but more important is what our team can achieve in the season ahead."
Last season, he became a late season starter after Phillip Lutzenkirchen's season ended because of injury, but then his season was cut short also because of a broken bone in his hand.
A 6-foot-4 253-pound native of Suwanee, Ga., Uzomah recorded seven receptions for 136 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown catch from Jonathan Wallace against Texas A&M. Even though he only played briefly last season he showed he has the tools to be a weapon in Gus Malzahn's offense.
Uzomah will likely be sharing time with fellow tight end Brandon Fulse. Malzahn's hurry up no huddle offense allows the tight end to play as a base tight end, an H-back and a slot receiver. This allows the tight end to have more opportunities to make plays in the passing game.
A midseason watch list for the award will be announced Oct. 14, the semifinalists Nov. 18 and the finalists November 25.
The recipient is selected by vote of the John Mackey Award Selection Committee; the award will be presented live Dec. 12 at The Home Depot College Football Awards Red Carpet Show.
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