PHILADELPHIA -- San Diego State football defensive end Cameron Thomas (Carlsbad, Calif./Carlsbad HS) has been named a semifinalist for the 27th Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday. Thomas is the first Aztec to be named a semifinalist for the award, which goes out to the outstanding defensive player of the year.
On the season, Thomas has 42 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, and 13 quarterback hurries, all which lead the team. Thomas ranks ninth in the country in tackles for loss (12.0), and is also tied for 37th in sacks per game (0.69), tied for 38th in total sacks (5.5) and tied for 67th in tackles for loss yards (40).
According to Pro Football Focus, Thomas is graded out as the top defensive player in the country at 90.5 (min. 400 snaps). Thomas is also first in quarterback hits (15) and second in quarterback pressures (sacks/hits/hurries) (44). Over the last 11 games dating back to last season, he has 69 tackles (37 solo), 19.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks.
Thomas and the Aztecs (7-1, 3-1 MW) play at Hawai'i at 5 p.m. HT (8 p.m. PT) Saturday.