The Chuck Bednarik Award is handed out each year to the best defensive player in college football. It is named after Bednarik, who starred at both linebacker and center for the University of Penn then the Philadelphia Eagles at the NFL level.
Previous winners of the award include the likes of Julius Peppers, Charles Woodson, Aaron Donald, Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu, Chase Young, and most recently in 2020, Zaven Collins. On Monday, a member of the Scarlet Knights was named to the watch list heading into the season.
Rutgers’ Olakunle Fatukasi earned a spot on the Bednarik Award watch list presented by Mammoth Tech on Monday.