Bradley Chubb wears a patch on his No. 9 NC State football jersey honoring Mario Williams, the former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick who once wore the same number.
At the rate things are going, there’s liable to be a second commemorative patch on the jersey the next time its issued to a member of the Wolfpack.
Not only has Chubb broken Williams’ school record for sacks with 26 and counting, but the senior defensive end can do the former State star one better by winning the Chuck Bednarik Award as the best defensive player in college football.
Chubb took another step in that direction Monday when he was named one of three finalists for the honor, presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club. The other finalists are Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick and Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith.
The winner of the Bednarik Award will be announced on Dec. 7 as part of a made-for-television presentation show.
In addition to his recognition from the Maxwell Club, Chubb has previously been named as one of five finalists for a second Defensive Player of the Year award — the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, selected by the Football Writers Association of America and presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
When it comes to the idea of having his name might be added to the already-honored No. 9 jersey, Chubb said it would “really be cool.
“If that happens, it happens. I’ll be excited if it does,” he said recently. “But right now I’m just focused on finishing the season.”
Chubb ranks second in the nation with 24 tackles for loss this season. He has 10 sacks, nine quarterback hurries, 64 total tackles and three forced fumbles while playing on 87 percent of the Wolfpack’s defensive snaps in ACC games heading into Saturday’s regular season finale against rival North Carolina.
