Toledo standout safety Maxen Hook, a key member of New Palestine’s back-to-back state championship teams in 2018-19, is shown here in 2021 running a blocked punt back for a touchdown. Hook is part of three preseason watch lists for national awards.
University of Toledo
Former New Palestine standout Maxen Hook, a veteran starting safety for the University of Toledo Rockets football team, was named to the Maxwell Football Club’s Chuck Bednarik Award watch list earlier this week.
The award is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player.
A three-time All-Mid-American Conference selection, the Bednarik list is the third for the talented Dragon that was an essential part of the school’s 2018 and 2019 Class 5A state championship teams.
He was also named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defender) and Jim Thorpe Award (top defensive back).
He was a first team All-MAC choice in each of his last two season and a third-team selection in 2021.
In 2023, he played in nine of 14 games and had a team-high three interceptions, to go with seven passes defended, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. He added 69 tackles, including 37 solos.
Over the last three seasons, he has totaled 117 solo tackles, 128 assists, 6.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and five interceptions.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 12, while the three finalists will be unveiled Nov. 26. The winners of the 30th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 12.
Toledo opens its season Thursday, Aug. 29 against Duquesne.
