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.
| Year | Player | Position | School | Draft |
| 1995 | Pat Fitzgerald | LB | Northwestern | Undrafted |
| 1996 | ||||
| 1997 | Charles Woodson | CB | Michigan | 4th |
| 1998 | Dat Nguyen | LB | Texas A&M | 85th |
| 1999 | LaVar Arrington | LB | Penn State | 2nd |
| 2000 | Dan Morgan | LB | Miami | 11th |
| 2001 | Julius Peppers | DE | North Carolina | 2nd |
| 2002 | E. J. Henderson | LB | Maryland | 40th |
| 2003 | Teddy Lehman | LB | Oklahoma | 37th |
| 2004 | David Pollack | LB | Georgia | 17th |
| 2005 | Paul Posluszny | LB | Penn State | 34th |
| 2006 | ||||
| 2007 | Dan Connor | LB | Penn State | 74th |
| 2008 | Rey Maualuga | LB | USC | 38th |
| 2009 | Ndamukong Suh | DT | Nebraska | 2nd |
| 2010 | Patrick Peterson | CB | LSU | 5th |
| 2011 | Tyrann Mathieu | CB | LSU | 69th |
| 2012 | Manti Te'o | LB | Notre Dame | 38th |
| 2013 | Aaron Donald | DT | Pittsburgh | 13th |
| 2014 | Scooby Wright III | LB | Arizona | 250th |
| 2015 | Tyler Matakevich | LB | Temple | 246th |
| 2016 | Jonathan Allen | DT | Alabama | 17th |
| 2017 | Minkah Fitzpatrick | CB | Alabama | 11th |
| 2018 | Josh Allen | LB | Kentucky | 7th |
| 2019 | Chase Young | DE | Ohio State | 2nd |
| 2020 | Zaven Collins | LB | Tulsa | 16th |
| 2021 | Jordan Davis | DT | Georgia | 13th |
| 2022 | Will Anderson Jr. | LB | Alabama | 3rd |
| 2023 | Payton Wilson | LB | NC State | 98th |
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.
