Miami Hurricanes Defensive Stars Named on Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List

MIAMI, Fla. – Miami Hurricanes defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. and edge rusher Damon Wilson II were named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, announced on Friday, annually presented to the outstanding defensive player in college football.

Despite losing a couple of stars, such as Akheem Mesidor and All-American Rueben Bain Jr., to the NFL, the program wasn’t left wondering who would step up.

Moten Sr. is coming off a breakout season as a full-time starter. He logged 31 total tackles, 20 solos and 11 assists, nine tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks in 14 games. Moten Sr. played the entire College Football Playoff run to the National Championship, despite battling an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, Wilson II had a career season at Missouri. He led the Tigers with nine sacks, along with 23 total tackles, nine solos and 14 assists, 9.5 tackles for loss, and a three-yard interception against Vanderbilt. Wilson II thrives on power and is looking to take the same path to success as Mesidor and Bain Jr.

Last season, the Hurricanes had the fifth-best scoring defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Part of the success came from dominating the line of scrimmage. The Hurricanes were among the nation’s best at wreaking havoc against opposing offensive lines and quarterbacks, especially around the edges.

Even with new personnel, that doesn’t mean the dominance is gone.

Moten Sr. has an explosive first-step quickness, a 6-3 and 300-pound frame, and a high motor. He credited being a father with motivating him to dominate on and off the field. Moten Sr. has received first-round projections for the 2027 NFL Draft from several platforms.

Meanwhile, Wilson II saw from afar what it looks like to dominate the edges. Mesidor and Bain Jr.’s dominance resulted in first-round selections. Wilson II will develop directly under defensive line coach and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. He’s projected to be a starter, leading a room of Marquise Lightfoot, Armondo Blount, and Herbert Scroggins III.

Other Power Four candidates for the Bednarik Award:

- Alabama safety Bray Hubbard (senior)

- Alabama cornerback Zabien Brown (junior)

- Alabama linebacker Yhonzae Pierre (senior)

- Arizona linebacker Taye Brown (senior)

- Arkansas defensive end Quincy Rhodes (senior)

- Baylor linebacker Travion Barnes (senior)

- BYU linebacker Isaiah Glasker (senior)

- BYU safety Faletau Satuala (junior)

- Cincinnati linebacker Jonathan Thompson (senior)

- Clemson linebacker Sammy Brown (junior)

- Clemson cornerback Ashton Hampton (junior)

- Colorado linebacker Gideon Lampron (senior)

- Florida linebacker Myles Graham (junior)

- Florida State cornerback Ja’Bril Rawls (junior)

- Georgia linebacker Raylen Wilson (senior)

- Georgia cornerback Ellis Robinson (sophomore)

- Georgia safety KJ Bolden (junior)

- Houston cornerback Will James (junior)

- Illinois defensive back Matthew Bailey (senior)

- Indiana nose tackle Tyrique Tucker (senior)

- Indiana linebacker Rolijah Hardy (junior)

- Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones (senior)

- Iowa safety Zach Lutmer (junior)

- Iowa State defensive end Isaac Terrell (senior)

- Kansas linebacker Trey Lathan (senior)

- Kansas State defensive end Wendell Gregory (sophomore)

- Louisville defensive end Club Levin (senior)

- LSU defensive end Princewell Umanmielen (senior)

- LSU linebacker Whit Weeks (senior)

- LSU cornerback DJ Pickett (sophomore)

- Maryland linebacker Daniel Wingate (senior)

- Michigan defensive end John Henry Daley (junior)

- Michigan cornerback Jyaire Hill (junior)

- Michigan State linebacker Jordan Hall (senior)

- Minnesota defensive end Anthony Smith (senior)

- Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones (junior)

- North Carolina defensive end Melkart Abou Jaoude (senior)

- Northwestern safety Robert Fitzgerald (senior)

- Notre Dame defensive end Boubacar Traore (junior)

- Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore (junior)

- Notre Dame safety Adon Shuler (junior)

- Ohio State defensive end Kenyatta Jackson (senior)

- Ohio State safety Earl Little (senior)

- Oklahoma defensive tackle David Stone (junior)

- Oklahoma linebacker Kip Lewis (senior)

- Oklahoma safety Peyton Bowen (junior)

- Ole Miss nose tackle Will Echoles (junior)

- Ole Miss linebacker Keaton Thomas (senior)

- Oregon defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei (senior)

- Oregon defensive tackle A’Mauri Washington (senior)

- Oregon cornerback Brandon Finney (sophomore)

- Penn State safety Jeremiah Cooper (senior)

- Pittsburgh linebacker Braylan Lovelace (senior)

- South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart (junior)

- Stanford linebacker Matt Rose (senior)

- TCU safety Jamal Johnson (senior)

- Tennessee linebacker Amare Campbell (junior)

- Tennessee cornerback Ty Redmond (sophomore)

- Texas defensive end Colin Simmons (junior)

- Texas linebacker Rasheem Biles (senior)

- Texas A&M safety Dalton Brooks (senior)

- Texas Tech defensive tackle A.J. Holmes (senior)

- Texas Tech linebacker Ben Roberts (senior)

- Texas Tech cornerback Brice Pollock (senior)

- UCF linebacker Lewis Carter (senior)

- USC cornerback Jontez Williams (senior)

- Utah linebacker Johnathan Hall (senior)

- Virginia linebacker Kam Robinson (senior)

- Virginia Tech defensive tackle Kemari Copeland (senior)

- Wake Forest defensive end Langston Hardy (senior)

- Wisconsin linebacker Mason Pona (sophomore)

Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: [email protected] & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports