SOUTH BEND, Ind. — University of Notre Dame football safety Kyle Hamilton was named one of four finalists for the 2021 Bednarik Award on Tuesday. The Bednarik Award recognizes the top defensive player in college football and it is the second-straight season the Irish have a finalist for the award (Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – 2020).
Hamilton leads the Irish with three interceptions and has 35 tackles and four pass breakups in seven games this season. Earlier in the season, he was named a First Team Midseason All-America selection by the Associated Press, Sporting News, CBS Sports, ESPN.com, The Athletic and Athlon Sports.
Hamilton opened the season with two interceptions in Notre Dame’s road-overtime win over Florida State. He was the first Irish player to have two interceptions in a game since Alohi Gilman in 2018 against Syracuse. For his efforts against the Seminoles, he earned LOTT Impact Player of the Week honors.
In the Irish’s home win over Purdue, Hamilton tied a career high with 10 tackles, including one to halt a Purdue fourth down conversion attempt in the first half. Later in the fourth quarter, Hamilton recorded his third interception of the season in the red zone to thwart a Purdue comeback attempt. Following his performance against the Boilermakers, he garnered player of the week awards from Walter Camp, Athlon, Pro Football Focus and was named the Bednarik Award Player of the Week.
The winner will be announced at the presentation gala on March 22, 2022 in Atlantic City.
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