Oregon Ducks stars Justin Herbert, Troy Dye and Jalen Jelks were among the college football players named Monday to watch lists for national awards honoring the country's best player and defender.

Herbert, a 6-foot-6 junior quarterback considered a potential first-round NFL draft pick in 2019, is up for the Maxwell Award, given to the top player in college football.

Dye, a junior linebacker who has led the Ducks in tackles each of his first two seasons, and Jelks, a senior defensive end whose 2017 season was a breakout performance, are among the candidates for the Bednarik Award, given to the top defensive player.

Their inclusions on the respective watch lists mark more notoriety for the Ducks stars, all of whom previously were included among the top 100 players in college football by Sports Illustrated.

Dye, whose 107 tackles last season were fourth-most in the Pac-12, has been named a preseason first-team All-America by Athlon Sports and a second-team All-America from Phil Steele. He also has been named to the Lott IMPACT Award watch list. Jelks, who had a team-high 15 tackles for loss, was previously named to preseason all-conference teams by Athlon, Lindy's, Phil Steele and Street and Smith's, alongside Dye.

Herbert was 6-2 as Ducks starter last season, with a collarbone injury forcing him to miss the team's other five games. He previously was named to the preseason all-Pac-12 teams by Lindy's, Phil Steele and Athlon.

Herbert and Jelks will join UO first-year coach Mario Cristobal at Pac-12 media day July 25 in Hollywood. The Ducks will open preseason practices soon afterward in preparation for the Sept. 1 season opener against Bowling Green.

-- Andrew Greif

agreif@oregonian.com