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The Maxwell Football Club annually presents the Chuck Bednarik Award to the best defensive player in college football. The recipient of the annual award is judged by a panel of members of the media, head coaches and the MFC.
Named for the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame center and linebacker, Bednarik was the last of the “60-minute men” in the NFL and helped the Eagles to two NFL Championships in 1949 and 1960. Bednarik was the recipient of the 1948 Maxwell Award while playing center and linebacker at the University of Pennsylvania. The following are quick bios for 10 players who are on the 2024 Bednarik Award Watch List.
Jordan Oladokun, Cornerback, Bowling Green
Oladokun is entering his third season at Bowling Green after transferring from Stamford. Oladokun started in 11 of 13 games in 2023 missing the Kent State and Quick Lane Bowl due to injury. Oladokun had 5 tackles against Liberty last season in one of Oladokun’s best performances.
Recognized by Pro Football Focus as an All-Mid-America Conference performer, the coaches and media of the MAC recognized Oladokun as a second-team All-MAC corner. Oladokun has also been named to the Wuerffel Trophy Watch List for his community efforts.
Denzel Burke, Cornerback, Ohio State
Burke (35 career starts) has an opportunity this season to pass William White (46 starts: 1984-87) for the Ohio State career mark at cornerback. Last season, Burke developed into one of the nation’s top cover corners, receiving an 81.7 coverage grade by PFF. Burke’s 26 career pass breakups are sixth all time in Ohio State history.
Bradley Roby’s 36 career pass breakups appear to be within reach for the senior. Burke’s play was recognized by Big Ten Conference coaches as a first-team All-Big Ten cornerback. Nationally, Burke was recognized as a second-team All-American.
Jack Sawyer, Defensive End, Ohio State
Sawyer was a key component in a nationally top 10-ranked pass rush, finishing second on the team with 36 quarterback pressures behind JT Tuimoloau, who finished with 38. Sawyer’s prep career led him to be a composite five-star EDGE rusher by 247Sports and ranked in the top 5 of recruits.
Sawyer has played in all 39 games the last three seasons and is ranked second on the team in tackles for loss (19.5) and leads current Buckeyes in sacks (14). For all of Sawyer’s efforts, he has been recognized by Big Ten coaches for third-team All-Big Ten honors, and by the Big Ten media as a second-team All-Big Ten defensive end.
Caleb Downs, Safety, Ohio State
After a historic freshman season at Alabama, Downs enters his first season at Ohio State after being recognized as the top overall transfer prospect. Downs was recognized as the 2023 Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Year, after becoming the first Alabama true freshman in school history to lead the team in tackles.
Downs finished his 2023 season with 107 tackles, 5 passes defended, 3.5 TFL, 2 interceptions, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Along with being recognized as SEC Player of the Year, Downs was the recipient of the 2023 Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year award, as well as first-team All-SEC selections.
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Jabbar Muhammad, Cornerback, Oregon
The well-traveled Muhammad enters his first season at Oregon after stops in Washington and Oklahoma State. Muhammad was recognized last season by Pac-12 Conference coaches as a second-team All-Pac-12 selection and first-team selection by the Associated Press in his lone season at Washington. Muhammad started all 15 games for the Huskies, finishing with 46 total tackles, 3 interceptions, 5 TFL, 2 sacks and 19 passes defended. Muhammad’s 19 passes defended were tied for No. 2 nationally, while ranking third in pass breakups (16). Muhammad led the Pac-12 in both categories. Muhammad was second among Washington defensive personnel with 937 defensive snaps played last season, earning a 79.4 overall grade from PFF with a 78.7 coverage grade.
Abdul Carter, Defensive End/Linebacker, Penn State
As Carter enters his junior season at Penn State, he will be utilized in a hybrid role week-to-week between playing linebacker or residing at the EDGE. What allows Carter to be able to play dual roles this season is his first step that has been rated the best in the nation by PFF.
Carter had a 24.8 percent pass-rush win rate in 2023, third-highest rate among all EDGE defenders and linebackers in the nation. Last season, Carter garnered first-team All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and second-team from the media.
Kevin Winston Jr., Safety, Penn State
Winston enters his junior season as one of the most coveted safety prospects in the country as PFF named Winston the No. 4 overall safety. Part of what has gained Winston such high praise is he has not missed a tackle during his two full seasons at Penn State and with his coverage skills improving, his draft stock certainly will continue to rise. Winston started all 13 games at safety last season and made a team-high 60 tackles (35 solo), 2.5 TFL, 5 pass breakups, 2 fumble recoveries and an interception. For Winston’s efforts, he was named as a Honorable Mention by both coaches and media for the All-Big Ten team.
Donovan McMillon, Safety, Pitt
McMillon enters his senior season at Pitt after a triumphant return to his hometown. McMillon led all Panther defenders in tackles last season with 105, the most by any Pitt defender since 2015 (Jordan Whitehead). McMillon was amongst the nation’s leaders in missed tackle rate (8.1 percent) as one of the top run-stoppers on the roster.
McMillon demonstrated versatility being able to defend the run after being tied for the team lead amongst Pitt defenders with 32 run stops. Along with being on the Bednarik Watch List, McMillon was also named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch List as nation’s best defensive back.
Ricardo Hallman, Cornerback, Wisconsin
Hallman had a banner season in 2023 with his 7 interceptions which was the most by any Wisconsin defender since Shane Carter in 2007 and the most by a Wisconsin cornerback since Jamar Fletcher in 2000.
Along with his 7 interceptions, Fletcher also recorded 34 tackles, (27 solo) and logged 3 TFLs. For Fletcher’s efforts he was recognized by the Associated Press as a third-team All-American, and by the Big Ten media as a member of the third-team All-Big Ten.
Hunter Wohler, Safety, Wisconsin
Wohler finished last season with the most tackles by a Wisconsin defensive back since Reggie Holt in 1991. Holt ranked tied for second in the Big Ten with Bryce Gallagher (Northwestern) at 120 tackles. Wohler led the Badgers and all Big Ten defensive backs with 120 total tackles. Wohler was the only defensive back in the country to have 110-plus tackles and multiple interceptions. Wohler recorded 74 solo tackles, the most in the nation amongst defensive backs. Along with being on the Bednarik Watch List, Wohler also appears on the Nagurski Award and Jim Thorpe Award Watch Lists.
Check out who else made the Bednarik Award Watch List!
The 2024 Bednarik Award Watch List: 31-40
Also, check out who is on the Maxwell Award Watch List!
This article is brought to you by the Maxwell Football Club, home of the prestigious Maxwell & Chuck Bednarik Awards. Become a member of the Maxwell Football Club and gain the exclusive privilege of voting for these and other nationally-recognized awards.
With over 75 years of honoring football’s finest, the Maxwell Football Club offers you the unique opportunity to help recognize top talent from high school to the professional level. By joining, you’ll be part of a tradition that celebrates excellence and helps shape the game's future.
Be part of the excitement at the Maxwell Football Awards Gala held in March 2025 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. At the Gala, you will experience the official presentation of the awards. Don’t miss your chance to contribute to football history. Become a member TODAY by visiting https://www.maxwellfootballclub.org/jointheclub.
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