Seniors Tyler Palko and H.B. Blades each were included on more awards watch lists.

Palko was named a preseason candidate for the Maxwell Award, annually presented to the collegiate player of the year. Blades is up for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the outstanding defensive player of the year.

Each award watch list is comprised of 60 candidates compiled by the Maxwell Football Club Advisory Committee. Twelve semifinalists for each award will be announced in October and the field will be trimmed to three finalists in November. The winners of the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will be announced at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show that will be broadcast on ESPN in December 2006.

The formal presentation of the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards will take place at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Banquet in March 2007. Two previous Pitt players have been honored with the Maxwell Award – running back Tony Dorsett in 1976 and defensive end Hugh Green in 1980.

I guess they are good for the resume. Mel Kiper, Jr. also listed H.B. Blades as the #2 Inside Linebacker in his rankings by position for seniors (Insider subs).