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Every season, the football world discusses how the Southeastern Conference is the standard for defense in college football. This season should be no different. Here is a list of 10 players from SEC schools who have made the 2024 Bednarik Award Watch List.
The Bednarik Award
Since 1995, the Maxwell Football Club has awarded the Bednarik Award to the best defensive player in the country in honor of Chuck Bednarik. Pat Fitzgerald was the first recipient in 1995, and he repeated in 1996, becoming one of only two players to win the award twice—the other was linebacker Paul Posluszny in 2005 and 2006.
The great thing about the award is that it's just for the best defensive player, so it has been given to defensive backs, linebackers and defensive linemen. Michigan's Charles Woodson is the only Bednarik and Heisman Trophy winner for his 1997 season.
Malachi Moore, Safety, Alabama
Moore is known for his football IQ and ability to diagnose the run and taking good angles to stop the play For the Alabama Crimson Tide. He also possesses high-level ball skills and can track passes and make plays. Moore is better in the zone than man-to-man, as he can read the quarterback and bait them into making bad decisions. If Moore can work on his footwork and lower his pad level, he can be in an advantageous position for the end-of-the-year awards and draft status.
Deontae Lawson, Linebacker, Alabama
The second Crimson Tide defensive player on the watch list is Lawson. Lawson is a highly versatile linebacker who is talented in the pass and run game. His ability to read plays makes him a huge asset for the Tide's defense. Learning from former Alabama linebackers Dallas Turner and Will Anderson Jr., Lawson looks to be one of the best like his teammates before him.
Eugene Asante, Linebacker, Auburn
The Tigers are looking to make noise in the SEC this year. With Maxwell Award Watch List running back Jarquez Hunter, Asante allows the Tigers to possibly have two of the best players on either side of the ball. Asante grew up inspired by his brother Larry, who played in the NFL for five years. Starting his career in North Carolina, Asante found his way down on the plains in 2022.
Asante is known for his high motor and range on plays, and his ability to cover sideline to sideline. Asante must work on pass coverage and develop more than one move during his pass rush. If he wants to be considered up there with Auburn greats like Nick Fairley, he has the tools to do so.
Mykel Williams, Defensive End, Georgia
Starting up front, Williams is a monster off the edge and can cause problems in both the run and pass games. Williams is looking to take on a more prominent role with the team, especially with the schedule the Bulldogs have to face.
With his elite athleticism, Williams can play multiple positions along the defensive front. His hip and ankle flexibility gives him an edge, making him a versatile player.
Smael Mondon Jr., Linebacker, Georgia
At the next level of defense for Georgia, Mondon fits the mold of the Kirby Smart linebacker. Exceptional speed and athleticism are paired with an extremely high football IQ, making Mondon problematic for offensive coordinators trying to gameplan around him. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds with a 40-yard dash time of 4.46 seconds, Mondon is set to be one of the best linebackers in the country. If he can work on disengaging blocks and adding more tools to his pass rush, Mondon could be a first-round draft pick in next spring's NFL draft.
College Football Dawgs and Maxwell Football Club Forge Partnership
Malaki Starks, Safety, Georgia
In the secondary, Georgia boasts one of the top defensive backs in the country—rounding out its trio of Bednarik Watch List players—in Starks. Projected as a first-round NFL draft pick, the 2023 Consensus All-American Starks is blessed with every tool you would want from a secondary player. The combination of speed, tackling and coverage ability make Starks a prime target for multiple postseason awards this season.
Johnny Walker Jr., EDGE, Missouri
Walker led the Tigers' defense last year with 9 quarterback hurries and 3 forced fumbles, proving he can be a disruptive player. With his continued improvement, Walker was a crucial force in the Tigers' winning the Cotton Bowl Classic against Ohio State last season, earning the defensive MVP for the game.
His ability to play defense, end and linebacker makes Walker one of the country's most versatile defensive players.
Danny Stutsman, Linebacker, Oklahoma
Stutsman chose to come back to help lead the Sooners into the SEC, bringing his leadership and playmaking ability with him. The Windemere, Fla., senior is one of the leading tacklers in the country, and his ability to stop the run shows that. Stutsman must improve his man coverage and more tools in his pass-rush arsenal. Stutsman will bring valuable experience and leadership to the Sooners as they embark on the most challenging schedule they have faced.
Billy Bowman Jr., Safety, Oklahoma
Bowman found a way to make big play after big play last year. With 6 interceptions—3 returned for touchdowns—Bowman is a vital piece of the Sooner defense, returning to help bring defense back to Oklahoma.
The Sooners will be tested in the challenging SEC, which is loaded with top quarterbacks and receivers, and if Bowman can have a year like he did last year, the Sooners could make some noise in the SEC.
James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee
When you want to design and create a player in the new EA Sports College Football 25 and want it to be a defensive player, Tennessee's Pearce is the prototype you want to follow. Head coach Josh Heupel is known for a fast-paced, high-flying offense, but "Big Orange" might have the best player in the country on the defensive side of the ball.
Pearce is one of the most fluid athletes with an explosive first step that makes opposing offensive tackles tremble in anticipation of the blow by. Pearce can line up with his hand on the ground or as a stand-up edge rusher. Pearce is a nightmare for offensive coordinators, who have to find ways to double and chip him. If there is one thing Pearce could improve upon, it is setting the edge to combat the run game, but he will make a lot of money at the next level doing what he does right now.
SEC Is the Standard in Defense
With multiple players at multiple universities across the SEC footprint, everyone knows that defense is SEC football. Even with the game geared more to favor the offense, the SEC continues to turn out the most NFL defensive players year after year. This year will not differ as the end-of-year awards watch list is filled with SEC defensive players.
This is set up to be one of the more exciting college football seasons in recent history. With the expansion of the playoffs to 12 teams and conference realignment, the SEC added two blue bloods in Oklahoma and Texas. Those two institutions will bring many athletes to an already loaded defensive landscape in the SEC. Offenses better buckle up—this list of players is coming for you.
Check out who else made the Bednarik Award Watch List!
The 2024 Bednarik Award Watch List: 51-60
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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