Kansas State junior defensive end Ryan Mueller has been named to the mid-season watch list for the Ted Hendricks Award.

He is one of three from the Big 12 Conference and 18 players nationally named to the watch list for the award which goes to the nation’s top defensive end.

The Ted Hendricks Foundation made the announcement.

Mueller is the first K-State mid-season candidate since Ian Campbell earned the nod in 2008. Campbell, who recorded a school-record tying 11.5 sacks in 2006 was also a preseason finalist in 2007 and a semifinalist in 2006.

Mueller is a two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honoree, and has a nation-leading 10.5 sacks this season.