Jacob Rodriguez Wins The 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award As Nation's Most Outstanding defender, List of Past Winners
Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez takes home the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given to the top defensive player of the year. Rodriguez, the first Texas Tech player to win the award, is the catalyst of a top-ranked defense for the Red Raiders, who earned a top-four seed and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff.
Last Year WINNER: Hunter was the recipient of the Chuck Bednarik Award, which is given annually to college football's top defensive player. He became the first member of the Buffaloes to earn the honor. Hunter racked up 32 tackles, four interceptions, one tackle for loss and one forced fumble. His 11 passes defensed were also the most among all Big 12 players in 2024.
Most outstanding defensive player: Chuck Bednarik Award Winners list by year 1995-2025
Complete list of Winners of the Chuck Bednarik Award for the outstanding collegiate defensive player:
2025_Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
2024_Travis Hunter, Colorado
2023_Payton Wilson, NC State
2022_Will Anderson Jr., Alabama
2021_Jordan Davis, Georgia
2020_Zach Collins, Tulsa
2019_Chase Young, Ohio State
2018_Josh Allen, Kentucky
2017_Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
2016_Jonathan Allen, Alabama
2015_Tyler Matakevich, Temple
2014_Scooby Wright III, Arizona
2013_Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
2012_Manti Te’o, Notre Dame
2011_Tyrann Mathieu, LSU
2010_Patrick Peterson, LSU
2009_Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
2008_Rey Maualuga, Southern California
2007_Dan Connor, Penn State
2006_Paul Posluszny, Penn State
2005_Paul Posluszny, Penn State
2004_David Pollack, Georgia
2003_Teddy Lehman, Oklahoma
2002_E.J. Henderson, Maryland
2001_Julius Peppers, North Carolina
2000_Dan Morgan, Miami
1999_LaVar Arrington, Penn State
1998_Dat Nguyen, Texas A&M
1997_Charles Woodson, Michigan
1996_Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
1995_Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern
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