EJ Gaines Named To Bednarik Watch List

November 3, 2012; Gainesville FL, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive back E.J. Gaines (31) during the second half against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Missouri Tigers 14-7. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

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Missouri senior defensive back EJ Gaines has been named to the Bednarik watch list. 75 players were named to the watch list. Here is the release from Mizzou Athletics:

"Gaines finished fourth in tackles as a junior for the Tigers in 2012, accumulating a career-high 74 tackles while leading Mizzou with 11 pass breakups. He has been playing cornerback at a high level for two seasons after earning First Team All-Big 12 recognition at the position as a sophomore in 2011. Gaines finished the 2011 campaign with 69 tackles, two interceptions and a career-best 16 pass breakups.Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced Oct. 29, with three finalists unveiled Nov. 18. The winner of the 2013 Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 5.The watch list candidates were chosen by the Maxwell Football Club’s selection committee, which analyzes both past performance and future potential. The Club reserves the right to make additions and deletions to these lists as the 2013 season unfolds. All members of the Maxwell Football Club, NCAA sports information directors, FBS head coaches and selected national media are eligible to vote for the awards."

This is a big year for EJ Gaines and the Missouri Tigers. For EJ, he needs to prove he can be a true game changer and make plays to win more games for Mizzou. The Tigers have to prove that they belong in the SEC. The Tigers begin their season against Murray State on August 31st.

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