Chuck Bednarik Award Winners

Defensive Player of the Year

Award Winners

  • * indicates bowl stats included
Award Winners Table
Year Player School Summary
2023Payton Wilson*North Carolina State69 Solo, 69 Ast, 6.0 Sk, 3 Int
2022Will Anderson Jr.*Alabama24 Solo, 27 Ast, 10.0 Sk, 1 Int
2021Jordan Davis*Georgia17 Solo, 15 Ast, 2.0 Sk, 0 Int
2020Zaven Collins*Tulsa36 Solo, 18 Ast, 4.0 Sk, 4 Int
2019Chase Young*Ohio State32 Solo, 14 Ast, 16.5 Sk, 0 Int
2018Josh Allen*Kentucky56 Solo, 32 Ast, 17.0 Sk, 0 Int
2017Minkah Fitzpatrick*Alabama38 Solo, 22 Ast, 1.5 Sk, 1 Int
2016Jonathan Allen*Alabama33 Solo, 36 Ast, 10.5 Sk, 0 Int
2015Tyler Matakevich*Temple77 Solo, 61 Ast, 4.5 Sk, 5 Int
2014Scooby Wright*Arizona99 Solo, 64 Ast, 14.0 Sk, 0 Int
2013Aaron Donald*Pitt43 Solo, 16 Ast, 11.0 Sk, 0 Int
2012Manti Te'o*Notre Dame55 Solo, 58 Ast, 1.5 Sk, 7 Int
2011Tyrann Mathieu*LSU59 Solo, 17 Ast, 1.5 Sk, 2 Int
2010Patrick Peterson*LSU29 Solo, 13 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 4 Int
2009Ndamukong Suh*Nebraska52 Solo, 33 Ast, 12.0 Sk, 1 Int
2008Rey Maualuga*USC51 Solo, 28 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 2 Int
2007Dan Connor*Penn State69 Solo, 76 Ast, 6.5 Sk, 1 Int
2006Paul Posluszny*Penn State69 Solo, 47 Ast, 3.0 Sk, 0 Int
2005Paul Posluszny*Penn State64 Solo, 52 Ast, 3.0 Sk, 0 Int
2004David Pollack*Georgia
2003Teddy Lehman*Oklahoma1 Int, 0 Yds, 0 TD
2002E.J. Henderson*Maryland2 Int, 20 Yds, 0 TD
2001Julius PeppersNorth Carolina3 Int, 42 Yds, 1 TD
2000Dan MorganMiami (FL)2 Int, 34 Yds, 0 TD
1999Lavar ArringtonPenn State1 Int, 27 Yds, 0 TD
1998Dat NguyenTexas A&M2 Int, 28 Yds, 0 TD
1997Charles WoodsonMichigan11 Rec, 231 Yds, 21.0 Avg, 2 TD
1996Pat FitzgeraldNorthwestern2 Int, 25 Yds, 0 TD
1995Pat FitzgeraldNorthwestern1 Int, 7 Yds, 0 TD