WVU S Aubrey Burks was selected to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List on Monday afternoon. Burks is entering his junior season with the Mountaineers.
Burks was named to the PFF Preseason All-Big 12 Team in July. Burks is regarded as the best-returning safety in the Big 12 and in the country.
And when you factor in his experience, how much the West Virginia secondary will rely on him and the high praise thrown his way by safeties coach Dontae Wright, there’s good reason to believe Burks can live up to the hype.
“As good as he wants to be,” is what Wright said when directly asked about the ceiling for Burks. “He can be a pro player or a really good college player. If he puts it all into it, he can play on Sundays,” Wright added.
West Virginia’s program has not had a recipient of the award since its inception in 1995. The award is named after Chuck Bednarik, who is a Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer. Bednarik is the last NFL player to play on both sides of the ball. Bednarik played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1949-62, winning two NFL Championships and was selected to 10 All-Pro First-Team.
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