Annapolis, Md.--The Maxwell Football Club announced today its watch list for the 31st Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football. The Bednarik Award has been given to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1995. It is named in honor of Chuck Bednarik, an NFL Hall of Fame linebacker and center who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Known as one of the last "60-minute men" for playing both offense and defense, Bednarik exemplified toughness, excellence, and leadership on the field—values that the award bearing his name seeks to recognize in today's top defensive players.
The Bednarik Award watch list will once again incorporate a broad spectrum of Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) programs and conferences from coast to coast, led by one returning finalist: Caleb Downs-Ohio State, and two returning semifinalists: Mikail Kamara–Indiana, and Anthony Hill Jr.-Texas. The full list comprises 90 players, with Georgia leading the way with four candidates.
Travis Hunter, from the University of Colorado, was the 2024 Bednarik Award winner and was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 1st round of the NFL draft.
A starter in 13 games during his career, Robinson is the strongest player on the Navy team, squatting 665 pounds, benching 465 pounds, has a 33-inch vertical and has been clocked at 20.13 mph on the GPS. Robinson has been named to Bruce Feldman's "Freaks List" in the Athletic each of the last three years and was ranked 13th this year.
Robinson garnered First-Team All-American Conference and First-Team All-East recognition last year as he finished the year with 61 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, seven quarterback hurries and two forced fumbles.
He was dominant against Army, recording a career-high 13 tackles, forcing a fumble and running 29 yards on a fake punt. He shared Army-Navy MVP honors with quarterback and fellow 2025 team captain Blake Horvath.
The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed metrics and performance-based assessments to selection committee staff, with several senior PFF analysts being members of the selection committee. Phil Steele's College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced November 11, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 25. The winner of the 31st Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 11. The formal presentations of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Navy will kick off the 2025 season on August 30 at 12 noon vs. VMI. Single-game and season tickets are still available at: https://navysports.evenue.net/list/F or by calling 1-800-US4-NAVY.
