DALLAS - Marshall University linebacker Tavante Beckett, an Indian River High School product from Chesapeake, was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Tuesday.
He averaged 9.6 tackles per game, had 7.5 TFLs, one forced fumble, a nation-leading four fumble recoveries and one touchdown. Beckett was a two-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Week and was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Thundering Herd's win over then-No. 23 Appalachian State.
Marshall (7-2) is set to face Buffalo (5-1) Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET in the 2020 Camellia Bowl. Beckett will not play, as he has already declared and began preparation for the 2021 NFL Draft.
