CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Twelve Atlantic Coast Conference football players representing 10 member institutions have been named to the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Friday.
Clemson and Miami lead the ACC with two candidates apiece. Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina, Pitt, Stanford, Virginia, Virginia Tech and Wake Forest each placed one player on the preseason watch list.
The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented annually since 1994 to the outstanding defensive player in college football. The award is named in honor of Chuck "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania and a member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
2026 Bednarik Award Watch List – ACC Selections
- Sammy Brown, Jr., LB, Clemson
- Ashton Hampton, Jr., CB, Clemson
- Ja’Bril Rawls, Sr., CB, Florida State
- Clev Lubin, 5th, DE Louisville
- Ahmad Moten Sr., 5th, DT, Miami
- Damon Wilson II, Sr., DE, Miami
- Melkart Abou Jaoude, 5th, DE, North Carolina
- Braylan Lovelace, Sr., LB, Pitt
- Matt Rose, 5th, LB, Stanford
- Kam Robinson, Sr., LB, Virginia
- Kemari Copeland, 5th, DT, Virginia Tech
- Langston Hardy, 5th, DE, Wake Forest
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on November 10, with the three finalists unveiled on November 24. The winner will be announced as part of the
ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10.