ASU Football: Pair of Sun Devils listed on preseason Maxwell and Chuck Bednarik Award watch lists

Announced on Monday morning were a set of preseason watch list honors. Arizona State running back Eno Benjamin featured on the Maxwell Award, given to the best college football player in the nation. On the other side of the ball, listed on the Chuck Bednarik award for the best defensive player in the nation, is linebacker Merlin Robertson.

In his breakout sophomore campaign last season, Benjamin rushed for 1642 yards and scored a total 18 touchdowns. With the departures of N’Keal Harry and Manny Wilkins, Benjamin is expected to carry even more weight of the offense on his shoulders.

Benjamin was already named a preseason All-American by Phil Steele, a season removed from being named on the AP’s third-team of All-Americans.

Robertson as a freshman earned All-American honors from various publications last season. The Pac-12 Defensive Freshman of the Year led the Sun Devils in tackles, tackles for a loss and sacks while adding plenty of other impact plays.

The pair of ASU stars will have a major impact on the Sun Devils season in 2019.