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PHILADELPHIA – Redshirt sophomore safety DJ Walker is representing Ohio football on the 31^st Chuck Bednarik Award, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club today (Aug. 11). 
 
The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football and 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.
 
Walker (Aliquippa, Pa.) was a staple in the 2024 defense, starting in all 14 games. He amassed 53 total tackles, including 34 solo stops and seven tackles for loss. Walker logged the second-most pass breakups (7) and recorded his first collegiate interception against Akron (Sept. 28, 2024). Following the regular season, Walker was named All-MAC Second Team.
 
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 and an additional six schools having three players represented. The SEC boasts 23 candidates, followed by the Big10 (20), ACC (15), and Big12 (12).
 
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.
 
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 our 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, 2025, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 25, 2025. 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, 2025. The formal presentations of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
 
ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB – The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, NFL Foundation, College Sports Communicators, SRA Inc., Vertical Raise, Quinco Inc., the ETC Foundation, and the Bradley Law Firm. To learn more about our story, visit www.maxwellfootballclub.org.
 
ABOUT PRO FOOTBALL FOCUS - PFF is widely recognized as the industry leader in the advanced data collection and analysis for American football. Since 2011, PFF has led football's charge into the world of analytics. Their services are trusted by all 32 NFL teams and over 100 FBS programs. Major broadcast networks, national media outlets, and player agencies all use PFF as a resource as well. PFF's media network provides fans with apps, tools, podcasts, and other content to help satisfy their thirst for deeper insights into the game.
 
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