LSU’s linebackers have terrorized opponents all season, and the nation is taking notice.

The Maxwell Football Club announced Wednesday that sophomore Arden Key was one of the 10 players added to the watch list for the Bednarik Award, presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player. He joined teammates Tre’Davious White, Jamal Adams and Kendell Beckwith, the latter of whom was named the Senior of the Week by the Senior Bowl.

Key has flourished as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker in new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda’s 3-4 scheme. The sophomore is fifth nationally with seven sacks, and his three forced fumbles are most among SEC players.

Beckwith has experienced similar success after deciding to return to school instead of entering last year’s NFL draft. The senior linebacker registered a career-high 15 tackles against Southern Miss last week, boosting his team-leading to 60 tackles this season.

Both players have helped the Tigers hold opponents to just 14 points per game, the fourth-fewest in FBS. They’ll lead No. 25 LSU’s stout defense into a critical SEC West matchup against No. 23 Ole Miss’ high-powered offense at 9 p.m. ET Saturday.