BATON ROUGE -- LSU free safety LaRon Landry and linebacker Ali Highsmith have both been named to the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced.

The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football. Last year, Penn State’s Paul Posluszny was named the winner of the award.

Wednesday’s mention of Landry to the Bednarik list is the latest accolade for the senior, who  goes into the 2006 season as a first-team preseason All-America by Lindy’s, Athlon Magazine, and Blue Ribbon Magazine. The Sporting News tabbed Landry as a second-team preseason All-America heading into this year’s slate.

Landry is also on the preseason watch list for the Nagurski Trophy, which also recognizes the top defensive player in college football.

Landry, a three-year starter in the secondary for the Tigers, enters his final season at LSU with 241 career tackles to his credit along with 12.5 sacks and nine interceptions. Dating back to the 2003 season, Landry has started in 35 straight games.

Landry earned third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press following the 2005 season as well as being a first-team all-conference pick. He was named second-team All-SEC in both 2003 and 2004.

Highsmith, a junior to-be from Miami, just completed his first season as a starter at linebacker for the Tigers in 2005. He ranked second on the squad in 2005 with 75 tackles, which included 9.5 tackles for losses and four sacks. He also returned a fumble 22-yards for a touchdown against Vanderbilt and he ranked among the league leaders by forcing three fumbles during the year. 

Landry, Highsmith and the rest of the Tigers open the 2006 season on Sept. 2 in Tiger Stadium when LSU hosts Louisiana-Lafayette at 7 p.m.