McMINNVILLE, Ore. – Linfield’s Eric Hedin has been named to the Mid-Season Watch List for the 2010 Ted Hendricks Award, as announced Sunday. He is the only Division III player to appear on the list, which includes 27 other football student-athletes from Division I and Division I FCS institutions.

Hedin has emerged as a dominating force on the defensive side of the ball. He leads all divisions of the NCAA in sacks at 2.0 per game. Over the course of the season, he has recorded 21 total sacks, breaking Linfield’s single-season record in that statistical category.

As Linfield’s leading tackler, he has racked up 73 total tackles through 10 games, including 35 tackles for losses of 149 yards. He is also responsible for four pass breakups, three fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, two quarterback hurries and three blocked kicks.

Hedin was recently recognized as the Northwest Conference Defensive Player of the Year. In addition, he received NWC Football Defensive Student-Athlete of the Week honors three times.

The Ted Hendricks Award is awarded to a player with stellar on-field performance, an exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to school and community and academic preparedness. Candidates represent any class (freshman through senior) and can attend any four-year NCAA accredited institution. The candidate’s primary position must be defensive end.

The voting committee includes members of the national media, head coaches, professional scouts and previous award winners. The watch list will be shortened to five or six finalists in the coming week, with the final decision being announced Dec. 8.

NEXT: Hedin and the Wildcats travel to St. Thomas (Minn.) for a second-round playoff matchup. Kickoff is slated for 10 a.m. PST.