CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference continues to showcase its defensive excellence, with 15 of its premier players earning a place on the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List, announced today by the Maxwell Football Club.
Presented annually since 1995, the Bednarik Award honors the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
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.
This year’s watch list features 90 standout defenders representing a wide range of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs and conferences from coast to coast. Clemson leads the ACC contingent and is one of just seven schools nationally with three or more players named to the list. Duke, Miami, NC State and Pitt each earned two selections, while California, Florida State, Georgia Tech and SMU were each represented by one player.
ACC Players Named to the 2025 Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
Name, School, Class, Position
Cade Uluave, California, Junior, Linebacker
T.J. Parker, Clemson, Junior, Defensive End
Avieon Terrell, Clemson, Junior, Cornerback
Peter Woods, Clemson, Junior, Defensive Tackle
Terry Moore, Duke, Senior, Safety
Chandler Rivers, Duke, Senior, Cornerback
Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State, Senior, Defensive Tackle
Kyle Efford, Georgia Tech, Junior, Linebacker
Rueben Bain Jr., Miami, Junior, Defensive End
OJ Frederique Jr., Miami, Sophomore, Cornerback
Sean Brown, NC State, Senior, Linebacker
Caden Fordham, NC State, Senior, Linebacker
Rasheem Biles, Pitt, Junior, Linebacker
Kyle Louis, Pitt, Junior, Linebacker
Isaiah Nwokobia, SMU, Senior, Safety
The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed metrics and performance-based assessments to the selection committee staff, with several senior PFF analysts serving as members of our selection committee. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on November 11, 2025, and the three finalists for the award will be unveiled on 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.
The Bednarik Award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 950 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.