Jonathan Allen wins Bednarik Award for best defensive player

Alabama's Jonathan Allen has won the Bednarik Award, given annually to college football's best defensive player.

The standout senior becomes the first player in school history to win the award, after a dominant campaign anchoring the nation's top-ranked unit.

Allen registered 56 tackles from his spot on the defensive line, 13 of which came for a loss, while also registering 8.5 sacks for the Crimson Tide.

The 6-foot-3, 291-pounder found the end zone twice this year on defensive scores and provided a play of the year candidate against Texas A&M.