Bednarik Award
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Bednarik Award Winners

Year Winner School Position Height Weight Home Town
2025 Jacob Rodriguez Texas Tech , Sr. LB 6-1 235 Wichita Falls, Texas
Finalists:
Caleb Downs, Ohio State, S
Cashius Howell, Texas A&M, EDGE
2024 Travis Hunter Colorado , Jr. DB 6-1 185 Suwanee, Ga.
Finalists:
Abdul Carter, Penn State, DE
Caleb Downs, Ohio State, S
2023 Payton Wilson NC State , Gr. LB 6-4 238 Hillsborough, N.C.
Finalists:
Laiatu Latu, UCLA, Sr, DL, 6-5, 265, Sacramento, Calif.
Dallas Turner, Alabama, Jr, Edge, 6-4, 252, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
2022 Will Anderson Jr. Alabama , Jr. LB 6-4 243 Hampton, Ga.
Finalists:
Ivan Pace Jr., Cincinnati, Sr., LB, 6-0, 235, Cincinnati, Ohio
Tuli Tuipulotu, USC, Jr., DE, 6-3, 266, Hawthorne, Calif.
2021 Jordan Davis Georgia , Sr. DT 6-6 340 Charlotte, N.C.
Finalists:
Will Anderson Jr., Alabama, So., LB, 6-4, 243, Hampton, Ga.
Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame, Jr., S, 6-4, 220, Atlanta, Ga.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon, So., DE, 6-5, 258, Los Angeles, Calif.
2020 Zaven Collins Tulsa , Jr. LB 6-4 260 Hominy, Okla.
Finalists:
Jeremiah Oswusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame, LB
Patrick Surtain ll, Alabama, LB
2019 Chase Young Ohio State , Jr. DE 6-5 265 Upper Marlboro, Md.
Finalists:
Isaiah Simmons, Clemson, Jr., S, 6-4, 220, Omaha, Neb.
Derrick Brown, Auburn, Sr., DT, 6-4, 330, Sugar Hill, Ga.
2018 Josh Allen Kentucky , Sr. LB 6-5 260 Montclair, N.J.
Finalists:
Quinnen Williams, Alabama, DT
Christian Wilkins, Clemson, DT
2017 Minkah Fitzpatrick Alabama , Jr. DB 6-1 202 Old Bridge, N.J.
Finalists:
Bradley Chubb, N.C. State, DE
Roquan Smith, Georgia, LB
2016 Jonathan Allen Alabama , Sr. DE 6-3 291 Leesburg, Va.
Finalists:
Myles Garrett, Texas A&M, DE
Jabrill Peppers, Michigan, LB
2015 Tyler Matakevich Temple , Sr. LB 6-1 232 Stratford, Conn.
Finalists:
Carl Nassib, Penn State, DE
Reggie Ragland, Alabama, LB
2014 Scooby Wright III Arizona , So. LB 6-1 246 Windsor, Calif.
Finalists:
Vic Beasley, Clemson, DE
Joey Bosa, Ohio State, DE
2013 Aaron Donald Pittsburgh , Sr. DT 6-0 285 Pittsburgh, Pa.
Finalists:
C.J. Mosley, Alabama, LB
Anthony Barr, UCLA, LB
2012 Manti Te'o Notre Dame , Sr. LB 6-2 255 Laie, Hawaii
Finalists:
Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina, DE
Jarvis Jones, Georgia, LB
2011 Tyrann Mathieu LSU , So. CB 5-9 175 New Orleans, La.
Finalists:
Dont'a Hightower, Alabama, Jr., LB, 6-4, 260, Lewisburg, Tenn.
Devon Still, Penn State, Sr., DT, 6-5, 310, Wilmington, Del.
2010 Patrick Peterson LSU , Jr. CB 6-1 222 Pompano Beach, Fla.
Finalists:
Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson, Jr., DE, 6-4, 275, Bamberg, S.C.
Nick Fairley, Auburn, Jr., DT, 6-5, 298, Mobile, Ala.
2009 Ndamukong Suh Nebraska , Sr. DT 6-4 300 Portland, Ore.
Finalists:
Terrence Cody, Alabama, Sr., DT, 6-5, 365, Fort Myers, Fla.
Brandon Spikes, Florida, Sr., LB, 6-3, 258, Shelby, N.C.
2008 Rey Maualuga USC , Sr. LB 6-2 260 Eureka, Calif.
Finalists:
James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, Sr., LB, 6-3, 240, Hamel, Minn.
Aaron Maybin, Penn State, So., DE, 6-4, 236, Ellicott City, Md.
2007 Dan Connor Penn State , Sr. LB 6-3 230 Wallingford, Pa.
Finalists:
Glenn Dorsey, LSU, DL
James Laurinaitis, Ohio State, LB
2006 Paul Posluszny Penn State , Sr. LB 6-2 237 Aliquippa, Pa.
Finalists:
Dan Conner, Penn State, LB
LaMarr Woodley, Michigan, DL
2005 Paul Posluszny Penn State , Jr. LB 6-2 220 Aliquippa, Pa.
Finalists:
A.J. Hawk, Ohio State, LB
D'Qwell Jackson, Maryland, LB
2004 Davis Pollack Georgia , Sr. DE 6-3 261 Snellville, Ga.
Finalists:
Erasmus James, Wisconsin, DL
Derrick Johnson, Texas, LB
2003 Teddy Lehman Oklahoma , Sr. LB 6-2 243 Fort Gibson, Okla.
Finalists:
Michaesl Boulware, Florida State, LB
Tommie Harris, Oklahoma, DT
2002 E.J. Henderson Maryland , Sr. LB 6-2 250 Aberdeen, Md.
Finalists:
Tommie Harris, Oklahoma, DT
Terrell Suggs, Arizona State, DE
2001 Julius Peppers North Carolina , Jr. DE 6-6 285 Bailey, N.C.
Finalists:
Rocky Calmus, Oklahoma, LB
Dwight Freeney, Syracuse, DE
2000 Dan Morgan Miami , Sr. LB 6-3 243 Coral Springs, Fla.
Finalists:
Keith Adams, Clemson, LB
Jamal Reynolds, Florida State, DL
1999 LaVar Arrington Penn State , Jr. LB 6-3 226 Pittsburgh, Pa.
Finalists:
Courtney Brown, Penn State, DL
Corey Moore, Virginia Tech, LB
1998 Dat Nguyen Texas A&M , Sr. LB 6-1 213 Rockport, Texas
Finalists:
Andy Katzenmoyer, Ohio State, LB
Jevon Kearse, Florida, DE
1997 Charles Woodson Michigan , Jr. CB 6-1 197 Fremont, Ohio
Finalists:
Dre Bly, North Carolina, DB
Andy Katzenmoyer, Ohio State, LB
1996 Pat Fitzgerald Northwestern , Sr. LB 6-2 233 Orland Park, Ill.
Finalists:
Chris Canty, Kansas State, DB
Jarrett Irons, Michigan, LB
1995 Pat Fitzgerald Northwestern , Jr. LB 6-2 228 Orland Park, Ill.
Finalists:
Kevin Hardy, Illinois, LB
Simeon Rice, Illinois, DE

Award Info

2025 Key Dates
Watch List: Mon., Aug 11
Semifinalists: Wed., Nov 12
Finalists: Tue., Nov 25
Winner: Thu., Dec 11

Presentation Banquet: Fri., Mar 13
College Football Hall of Fame
Atlanta, Ga.
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