Hope and Texarkana native McTelvin Agim up for top college football defensive player of the year

A Hope High School football standout from Texarkana, Arkansas who has become one of the top defensive linemen in the SEC and in college football is getting serious consideration for one of college football's most prestigious awards.

Arkansas football’s senior defensive lineman McTelvin Agim, the son of Deanna Giddens, was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List on Monday by the Maxwell Football Club.

In its 25th year, the Bednarik Award recognizes the top college defensive player of the year and is named after former Penn and Philadelphia Eagles standout Chuck Bednarik. It marks back-to-back years the Razorbacks have been represented on the watch list, as De’Jon Harris made last year’s squad.

Agim, a native of Texarkana, Arkansas, put together a strong junior campaign for the Razorbacks, racking up 45 total tackles, 16 unassisted, over 12 starts in 2018. He led the team in tackles for loss last year with 10, making him the first Arkansas defender to reach double-digit TFLs since Deatrich Wise Jr. in 2015.

Nearly half of his tackles for loss were sacks (4.5), as he’ll enter the season as Arkansas’ active career leader in both categories. Agim also forced a team-best three fumbles in 2018, including two at Colorado State on Sept. 8 to make him the only Razorback on the roster to force multiple fumbles in two separate games heading into the 2019 campaign.

Agim will be one of three player representatives at the 2019 SEC Football Media Days on Wednesday, July 17, in Birmingham, Alabama, joining Harris and Devwah Whaley, as well as head coach Chad Morris.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Oct. 29, while the three finalists for each award will be unveiled Nov. 25. The winner will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 12, in Atlanta, Georgia.

About McTelvin Agim

2018 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll
2017 Fall SEC Academic Honor Roll
2016 SEC All-Freshman Team (Coaches)

McTelvin Agim's Junior Year at UA (2018)

Started all 12 games for the Razorbacks, primarily at defensive end, during his junior season, totaling 597 snaps
Recognized by Pro Football Focus during the season, earning a spot on its SEC Team of the Week in week eight with a 74.9 grade
Racked up 45 tackles, 16 unassisted, to rank sixth on the team in total tackles in 2018
Paced the Razorbacks with 10 tackles for loss, accumulating 44 yards for loss, also a team-best
The first Arkansas defender with double digit TFLs since Deatrich Wise Jr. totaled 10.5 in 2015
Included in his 10 tackles for loss were 4.5 sacks for 25 yards, good for second among Razorbacks

McTelvin Agim's Sophomore Year at UA (2017)

Started 11 of 12 games played at defensive end
Posted 37 tackles, the second-most among defensive linemen on the team
Finished second on the team in tackles for loss (7.5)
Tied for third on the team in sacks (2.5)
Made a tackle in 11 games
Led all defensive linemen on the team in pass breakups (3)
Tied for second on the team in fumbles forced (2)

McTelvin Agim's Freshman Year at UA (2016)

Played all 13 games with starts in each of the last five
Tied for second among SEC freshmen in sacks (2.5) and fifth in tackles for loss (5.5)
Contributed 27 tackles, including eight solo stops
Had two quarterback hurries
Made at least one tackle in 10 games
Recorded at least 0.5 tackles for loss in seven games and at least 0.5 sacks in three games

McTelvin Agim in high school

An early enrollee who practiced in January 2016 with the program before taking part in Under Armour All-America game
Earned a five-star rating from 247Sports and a four-star rating from ESPN, Rivals and Scout
Tabbed the No. 1 player in the state of Arkansas by ESPN, 247Sports and Rivals
Ranked the No. 11 overall player in the country by ESPN, the No. 18 overall by 247Sports, the No. 44 overall by Scout and the No. 50 overall by Rivals
Pegged the No. 2 defensive end prospect by 247Sports, the No. 3 defensive end prospect by ESPN and the No. 7 defensive end prospect by Scout
Four-star ESPN ranking came with a grade of 89
Was clocked at 4.59 in the 40-yard dash
2015 ALL-USA Arkansas Football Defensive Player of the Year