Chuck Bednarik Award Winners

Last Modified Dec 9, 2024 10:49 GMT
Payton Wilson, winner of the 2023 Chuck Bednarik Award. Source: @ptwilsonn

The Chuck Bednarik Award is annually awarded to the best defensive player in college football. It was established in 1995 by the Maxwell Football Club to honor Chuck Bednarik, a legendary player known for his roles as both, a linebacker and center in the NFL. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles between 1949 and 1962. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. The Chuck Bednarik Award is considered a highly esteemed award that highlights defensive play in college football. The most prominent linebackers, defensive linemen, or defensive backs can receive the award. Notable past winners are Charles Woodson, LaVar Arrington, and Aaron Donald. The award is based on registering the most tackles, sacks, interceptions, and overall defensive domination throughout a season.

List of Chuck Bednarik Award Winners Year by Year

Below is the year-by-year winner’s list for the Chuck Bednarik Award.

YearPlayerPositionSchoolDraft
1995Pat FitzgeraldLBNorthwesternUndrafted
1996
1997Charles WoodsonCBMichigan4th
1998Dat NguyenLBTexas A&M85th
1999LaVar ArringtonLBPenn State2nd
2000Dan MorganLBMiami11th
2001Julius PeppersDENorth Carolina2nd
2002E. J. HendersonLBMaryland40th
2003Teddy LehmanLBOklahoma37th
2004David PollackLBGeorgia17th
2005Paul PoslusznyLBPenn State34th
2006
2007Dan ConnorLBPenn State74th
2008Rey MaualugaLBUSC38th
2009Ndamukong SuhDTNebraska2nd
2010Patrick PetersonCBLSU5th
2011Tyrann MathieuCBLSU69th
2012Manti Te'oLBNotre Dame38th
2013Aaron DonaldDTPittsburgh13th
2014Scooby Wright IIILBArizona250th
2015Tyler MatakevichLBTemple246th
2016Jonathan AllenDTAlabama17th
2017Minkah FitzpatrickCBAlabama11th
2018Josh AllenLBKentucky7th
2019Chase YoungDEOhio State2nd
2020Zaven CollinsLBTulsa16th
2021Jordan DavisDTGeorgia13th
2022Will Anderson Jr.LBAlabama3rd
2023Payton WilsonLBNC State98th

FAQs on Chuck Bednarik Award

A. The Chuck Bednarik Award is an annual award given to the best defensive player in college football.

A. The Chuck Bednarik Award was established in 1995.

A. The Chuck Bednarik Award is named after Chuck Bednarik, a Hall of Fame winner.

A. Linebackers are the most common winners of the award.

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