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Wisconsin safety John Torchio named a Bednarik Award Semifinalist

Wisconsin safety John Torchio is one of 20 semifinalists for a prestigious postseason award.

Matt Belz

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Nicknamed the "Jewelry Thief" by his teammates, Wisconsin strong safety John Torchio is known for always being around the ball and creating turnovers.

After posting a two-interception performance against Purdue, the senior from California is now one of 20 semifinalists for the 2022 Chuck Bednarik Award.

The prestigious postseason award is given annually to the most outstanding defensive player in the nation, a distinction that no Wisconsin player has won since the award's inception in 1995.

Torchio did not begin the season on the Bednarik Award Watch List, but his gaudy interception numbers and stellar play on the field have made him one of the top defensive playmakers in the country this season.

Through the team's first eight games, Torchio leads Wisconsin with five pass breakups and is second with 42 tackles. However, his Big Ten-leading five interceptions truly set him apart.

In addition to leading Wisconsin in takeaways, Torchio is tied for first in the nation with five interceptions and has taken two back for defensive touchdowns this season.

A true game breaker, Torchio recently won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors against Purdue, posting 10 tackles and two interceptions, including a defensive score in the first quarter to help lead the Badgers to a crucial win inside Camp Randall Stadium.

Following the game, head coach Jim Leonhard had this to say about Torchio:

"I'm proud of him, he got better, and he got into the end zone this time. He's got such a high football IQ. Understands our scheme, understands offenses and how they attack. You add on top of that timing, not every safety has that and it's a skill that is hard to teach. He's kind of had that from day one, we noticed that, and every time he's staring at the quarter he's got an opportunity to make a big play, and it's our job as a defense to win enough downs to get into situations to allow him to do that. I'm just proud of him. He's been through a lot this last year and to see his growth as a leader, you see his growth as a player, just excited when the results are there on game day."

Joining Torchio on the list of potential recipients include six other Big Ten representatives, with Illinois leading the way with two honorees.

You can see the entire list of 20 semifinalists below:

  • Will Anderson (LB) - Alabama
  • Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB) - Alabama
  • Drew Sanders (LB) - Arkansas
  • Ivan Pace Jr. (LB) - Cincinnati
  • Tyler Davis (DT) - Clemson
  • Christopher Smith (S) - Georgia
  • Jer'Zhan Newton (DT) - Illinois
  • Devon Witherspoon (CB) - Illinois
  • Jack Campbell (LB) - Iowa
  • Felix Anudike-Uzomah (DE) - Kansas State
  • Mike Morris (DE) - Michigan
  • Emmanuel Forbes (CB) - Mississippi State
  • Tommy Eichenberg (LB) - Ohio State
  • Jason Henderson (LB) - Old Dominion
  • Joey Porter Jr. (CB) - Penn State
  • Calijah Kancey (DT) - Pittsburgh
  • Tyree Wilson (LB) - Texas Tech
  • Tuli Tuipoluto (DT) - USC
  • Clark Phillips III (CB) - Utah
  • John Torchio (S) - Wisconsin

Congratulations to John Torchio for making the prestigious semifinalist list, and it will be interesting to see if he will eventually be a finalist for the award at season's end. 

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Matt Belz
MATT BELZ

Title: Publisher, Beat Writer for AllBadgers.com, a Sports Illustrated Channel Hello, my name is Matt Belz, and I am the site manager at All Badgers. I previously wrote for multiple years at Buckeyes 5th Quarter and have been the leading publisher here since March of 2022.  When I am not covering the Wisconsin Badgers football and men's basketball teams, I enjoy being outside and spending time with family and friends.  You can follow everything I write about on several different platforms. First and foremost on our site...AllBadgers.com You can follow me personally on Twitter at @savedbythebelz or check out our Facebook page at Wisconsin FanNation on Sports Illustrated.

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