ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Navy junior linebacker Diego Fagot is on the Watch List for the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football.  The award has been presented every year since 1995 and is named in honor of the former standout at the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Eagles. Bednarik is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the NFL Hall of Fame.  Ohio State's Chase Young won the award last year.
 
Fagot is coming off a dominant sophomore campaign that saw him start all 13 contests for a Navy team that finished 11-2, won the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy and beat Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl. The Mids finished the year ranked 20^th in both polls.
 
A big part of Navy's success last year was the defense as the Mids improved in nearly every defensive category, including third down defense (121^st to 20^th), rushing defense (90^th to 10^th), total defense (86^th to 16^th) and scoring defense (103^rd to 34^th).
 
Fagot led the team in tackles in 2019 with 100 (52 solo) and was second on the team in tackles for a loss (12) and sacks (5.5). He forced two fumbles, broke up two passes and had an interception that he returned for a touchdown.  Fagot was named 2019 First-Team All-AAC and was named the Liberty Bowl Defensive Player of the game.
 
Fagot is one of just six players from the American Athletic Conference on the list joining Zaven Collins (Tulsa), Darrick Forest (Cincinnati), Ahmad Gardner (Cincinnati), Richie Grant (UCF) and Ifeanyi Maijeh (Temple).