Nwokobia named To Bednarik watch list

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Nwokobia named To Bednarik watch list

PHILADELPHIA (SMU) – SMU safety Isaiah Nwokobia earned a spot on the 31st Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Monday.

The Bednarik Award has been given to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. It is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, an NFL Hall of Fame linebacker and center who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Known as one of the last "60-minute men" for playing both offense and defense, Bednarik exemplified toughness, excellence and leadership on the field—values that the award bearing his name seeks to recognize in today's top defensive players.

Nwokobia's elite performance in the 2024 season significantly contributed to the Mustangs' success. With an 11-3 record and an unblemished 8-0 regular-season conference mark, SMU clinched its first appearance in the College Football Playoff (CFP). Leading the second-best rushing defense in SMU history, Nwokobia registered more than 100 tackles, one of only two Mustangs to secure the feat in 2024. The defensive unit allowed just 100.2 yards per game on the ground, ranking seventh nationally and leading the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).

The list of 90 defensive players consists of 15 players from the ACC. Nwokobia is one of two ACC safeties named to the watch list, joining Duke senior Terry Moore. Nwokobia has been named to many preseason honors including the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List, the Bronco Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the Walter Camp Preseason All-America Second Team and The Sporting News All-America Second Team.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced November 11, 2025, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 25, 2025. The winner of the 31st Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 11, 2025. The formal presentations of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.