LOGAN, Utah — Utah State football junior Ike Larsen has been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List it was announced on Monday.
 
Larsen, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound safety from Smithfield, Utah (Sky View HS), has also been named a College Football Network (CFN) Preseason Third-Team All-American and a HERO Sports Group of Five All-American. Larsen was also selected to the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List (awarded annually to the best defensive back in the nation), the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List (awarded annually the best defensive player in the nation) and was named to the preseason all-MW team by Phil Steele (first team), Athlon Sports (first team) and MW media.
 
In 2023, Larsen was named a CFN Honorable Mention All-American and earned first-team all-MW honors as he started all 13 games. He finished the year with 103 tackles (58-solo, 45-assist), which were the second-most on the team, and he became the 65th player in school history to have 100-plus tackles in a season. He also had 4.5 tackles for loss, to go along with a team-high four interceptions and a team-best two blocked kicks, while adding six pass breakups, which were the second-most on the team, and one forced fumble. He finished the year with five double-digit tackle outings.
 
Larsen, who was named the MW Defensive Player of the Week twice and the MW Special Teams Player of the Week once during the 2023 season, finished the year ranking first in the MW and fourth in the nation with two blocked kicks, tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown, third in the MW and 19th in the nation with four interceptions, eighth in the MW in passes defended with 10 (0.77 pg), and eighth in the MW and 56th in the nation in tackles (7.9 pg).
 
The Chuck Bednarik Award was established in 1995 and is named after Pro Football and College Football Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik, the last player in NFL history to be a full-time player on both offense and defense. The award is given annually to the top defensive player in college football. A total of 90 candidates were selected to the 2024 watch list. Larsen is one of only four players from the Mountain West to be named to the watchlist, joining Boise State's Ahmed Hassanein, UNLV's Jackson Woodard and Wyoming's Jordan Bertagnole. Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on November 12 with three finalists then being named on November 26. The winner will be announced live during The Home Depot College Football Awards airing on ESPN on December 12.
 
Fall Schedule
Utah State opens the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31, as it hosts Robert Morris and begins Mountain West play at Boise State on Saturday, Oct. 5.
 
Ticket Information
Season tickets and mini-plans for the 2024 season are on sale now. Purchase your tickets today to guarantee your seat for the return of the 'Battle of the Brothers' on Saturday, September 14th. To purchase visit utahstateaggies.com or call the ticket office at 435-797-0305.
 
Follow
Fans can follow the Aggie football program with behind the scenes content and coverage on social media through X, Instagram and Facebook, along with visiting www.utahstateaggies.com.