CHICAGO– UNC senior defensive end Kareem Martin is one of the 18 standout players selected to the 2013 Ted Hendricks Award Midseason Watch list.

Martin leads the Tar Heels with 12.5 tackles for a loss and is tied for the team lead in sacks with 5.5 on the season. On top of that, Martin’s level of play has seen marked improvement in recent weeks, helping Carolina turn its season around.

The Ted Hendricks Award is named in honor of college football’s first three-time first-team All-American. Hendricks played for the University of Miami and went on to a 15-year professional career.

On-field performance, exceptional winning attitude, leadership abilities, contributions to school and community and academic preparedness make up the criteria used to determine the nation’s top defensive end.

The selection committee will complete its first vote on Nov. 25 for the prestigious honor.