Donovan McMillon Named to the Bednarik Award Watch List
PITTSBURGH—Pitt senior safety Donovan McMillon was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List, presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football. The watch list was revealed today by the Maxwell Football Club.
This is the second national award to name McMillon to its watch list. He was also named a preseason candidate for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, given to the nation’s best defensive back, earlier this month.
A native of McMurray, Pa., and graduate of Peters Township High School, McMillon has also been selected preseason first team All-ACC by no fewer than three different publications (Athlon, Lindy’s and Phil Steele) this year. Additionally, he was named to the Shrine Bowl 1000 watch list as a top candidate for the prestigious all-star game.
McMillon (6-2, 205), who enrolled at Pitt in January 2023 as a mid-year transfer from Florida, saw action in every game last season to go along with eight starts at strong safety. He led the Panthers in tackles with 105, the most by a Pitt defender since Jordan Whitehead (109) in 2015. McMillon also posted one assisted TFL, one forced fumble and one pass breakup on the year, earning Honorable Mention All-ACC.
His first collegiate start came in the Backyard Brawl at West Virginia last season, collecting a game-high 18 stops in a defensive effort that yielded just 211 total yards. His 18 stops were the most by a Pitt player since 2015 (Matt Galambos, 19 vs. Navy in the Military Bowl) and were the most (tied) by an ACC player, as well as the most by an FBS defensive back, in 2023.
McMillon and the Panthers open the 2024 campaign on Aug. 31 at Acrisure Stadium against Kent State, with kickoff slated for 12 p.m.
