Cincinnati Bearcats Football: 4 Seniors Tabbed for Preseason Watch Lists

The Cincinnati Bearcats have one of the more experienced teams in the Big East and with most starters coming back for their second or third season in that role, a few of whom have received preseason recognition heading into the 2011 season. 

On the defensive side of the ball, LB J.K. Schaffer and DT Derek Wolfe were named to the watch list for the 2011 Nagurski Trophy. 

The Bronko Nagurski trophy is awarded each year to the nation's best defensive player. 

Both Schaeffer and Wolfe are entering their third season as starters on the defensive side of the ball and as seniors, they will be called upon to lead an experienced, but much maligned group. 

Schaeffer was a second-team All-Big East selection last season, finishing with 111 tackles. 

Wolfe is perhaps the most important player on the defensive side of the ball for Cincinnati. He is a big run stopper in the middle who might have the most NFL potential on the team. 

On the offensive side of the ball, QB Zach Collaros and RB Isaiah Pead were named to the Maxwell watch list. 

The Maxwell Award is given to the most outstanding college football player in America every year.

Collaros was a first-team All-Big East performer last season, while posting big time passing statistics. He would like to cut down on his interceptions this season and needs to for Cincinnati to be successful. 

Pead was a second-team All-Big East selection last season and is one of the most explosive players in the Big East. 

These four seniors have one more chance to get Cincinnati back to a BCS bowl and leave the program at the highest peak it has ever reached.

Who knows? Maybe they could win a few awards in the process.