Colorado LB Gideon Lampron adds another national award watch list

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Colorado transformed its defense over the offseason, with the program likely to bring in all 11 projected starters from the transfer portal. One of those starters is inside linebacker Gideon Lampron.

Lampron added to his preseason accolades Friday, with the fifth-year linebacker being named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list. It is Lampron's second national award watch list, having already been named to the Butkus Award watch list for the nation's top linebacker.

The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football. Lampron is one of 91 players across college football on this year's watch list.

Lampron was arguably the top Group of Six linebacker last year with Bowling Green. He started all 12 games, totaling 119 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He was the only player in the nation to finish the regular season with more than 100 tackles and 15 tackles for loss.

Throughout fall camp, Lmapron has stood out as both a leader and potential star.

"Gideon has exceeded expectations," Deion Sanders said. "Gideon is not just a dawg; he's a bona fide leader. He's a playmaker. He's a guy that loves practice, loves the game. He's not selfish, very unselfish, but he loves football, and I love that about him."

Lampron joins some elite company as the ninth different Buff to make the Bednarik Award watchlist. Travis Hunter won the award in 2024, and defensive end BJ Green made the watch list the same year. Fellow linebacker Nate Landman made the watch list three times from 2019-21.

Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 10, and the three finalists will be revealed on Nov. 24. The winner will be announced Dec. 10.

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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Colorado LB Gideon Lampron adds another national award watch list

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