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USC Cornerback Jontez Williams Named to Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
August 21, 2026 | Football
LOS ANGELES—USC cornerback Jontez Williams was named to the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, today (Aug. 21). The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football.
Williams, who transferred to USC from Iowa State in January of 2026 and was the No. 1 cornerback in the transfer portal, looks to make an immediate impact on the Trojan defense this season. Throughout his four-year career at Iowa State, Williams has recorded 67 tackles, including 3.5 for loss of 5 yards, 15 PBUs and 5 INTs while appearing in 32 games with 29 starts.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik who was an All-American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 10, while the three finalists for the will be unveiled Nov. 24. The winner of the 32nd Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 10. The formal presentations of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 13, 2027, at the Coca Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta.
Williams, who transferred to USC from Iowa State in January of 2026 and was the No. 1 cornerback in the transfer portal, looks to make an immediate impact on the Trojan defense this season. Throughout his four-year career at Iowa State, Williams has recorded 67 tackles, including 3.5 for loss of 5 yards, 15 PBUs and 5 INTs while appearing in 32 games with 29 starts.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck "Concrete Charlie" Bednarik who was an All-American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 10, while the three finalists for the will be unveiled Nov. 24. The winner of the 32nd Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 10. The formal presentations of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 13, 2027, at the Coca Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta.
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