UCF LB Lewis Carter Named to Chuck Bednarik Watch List

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In his first year as UCF's defensive coordinator, Alex Grinch manufactured a solid season with his unit, which featured first-round draft pick Malachi Lawrence and multiple NFL undrafted free agent signings.

Despite losing these talents, the Knights have retained some key pieces from last year's defensive unit, including defensive back Jayden Bellamy and linebacker Lewis Carter.

On Friday, Carter joined a plethora of Knights being named to preseason watch lists, appearing as an early candidate for the Chuck Bednarik Award.

Since 1994, the Bednarik Award has been given to the College Defensive Player of the Year and is an extremely prestigious honor.

Carter, who broke out during his first season at UCF, has been hailed as the clear leader of the defense going forward.

"Like Lew Carter is the clear leader on defense for us," Frost said. "We didn't really have that a year ago either. The vocal guy out in front. I think guys like that are going to give us a a little bit easier path to hopefully some success."

These are strong remarks from Frost considering the upperclassmen who were on the team last year, but shows the value that Carter brings on and off the field.

On Monday, Carter was graded within the top-10 returning linebackers in the Big 12 Conference, according to Pro Football Focus.

Ranked No. 8 and 9, Carter graded in at a 75.9 with pending Knights returner Cole Kozlowski just behind him (75.6).

The Knights were just one of two programs (Texas Tech) to have more than one representative on the list.

With another year of continuity and understanding of defensive coordinator Alex Grinch's system, this tandem should be among the best in the conference.

In his first year with the program, Carter recorded 92 total tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles, while serving as a vocal presence on the field.

In three of the final four games of the season, Carter recorded 12 or more tackles, doing so against top teams in the conference like Texas Tech, Houston, and BYU.

Against BYU, UCF got off to a hot start, and it began to look like the Knights could upset the Cougars and potentially earn a bowl bid.

But, the Knights' 14-0 start was quickly snuffed out, and UCF's bowling hopes were dashed.

But, this has not affected the returners from last year, with Carter talking about moving forward and trying to be a vocal presence within the locker room.

"A lot of guys that have been through the ups, been through the downs, and a lot of guys that are putting in the work and ready to go," Carter said after Day 1 of fall camp.

If Kozlowski is able to return, he and Carter will be one of the best returning linebacker duos in the conference, and will anchor a UCF defense looking to build on last year's successes.

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