The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive collegiate football player adjudged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States. The award is named for Chuck Bednarik, a former collegiate and professional American football player.
Other Resources
List of Winners
| Year | Winner | School | Position | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Jonathan Allen | Alabama | DL | SR |
| 2015 | Tyler Matakevich | Temple | LB | SR |
| 2014 | Scooby Wright III | Arizona | LB | SO |
| 2013 | Aaron Donald | Pittsburgh | DT | SR |
| 2012 | Manti Te'o | Notre Dame | LB | SR |
| 2011 | Tyrann Mathieu | LSU | CB | SO |
| 2010 | Patrick Peterson | LSU | CB | JR |
| 2009 | Ndamukong Suh | Nebraska | DT | SR |
| 2008 | Rey Maualuga | USC | LB | SR |
| 2007 | Dan Connor | Penn State | LB | SR |
| 2006 | Paul Posluszny | Penn State | LB | SR |
| 2005 | Paul Posluszny | Penn State | LB | JR |
| 2004 | David Pollack | Georgia | LB | SR |
| 2003 | Teddy Lehman | Oklahoma | LB | SR |
| 2002 | E.J. Henderson | Maryland | LB | SR |
| 2001 | Julius Peppers | North Carolina | DE | JR |
| 2000 | Dan Morgan | Miami (FL) | LB | SR |
| 1999 | LaVar Arrington | Penn State | LB | JR |
| 1998 | Dat Nguyen | Texas A&M | LB | SR |
| 1997 | Charles Woodson | Michigan | CB | JR |
| 1996 | Pat Fitzgerald | Northwestern | LB | SR |
| 1995 | Pat Fitzgerald | Northwestern | LB | JR |