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University of Minnesota Athletics
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Maxwell Football Club Puts Smith on Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
8/21/2026 3:43:00 PM | Football
The award is presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football
University of Minnesota defensive lineman Anthony Smith was named to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award today. The award is presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football and the announcement was made by the Maxwell Football Club.
Smith is one of the most disruptive players in college football. In 2025, he made 17.5 tackles for loss and led the Big Ten with 12.5 sacks. For his career, Smith has 31.0 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks.
Minnesota career records are in reach for the Shippensburg, Pa., native. Willie VanDeSteeg (2005-08) is the program record holder for tackles for loss with 43.5, while Karon Riley (1999-00) holds the career sack record with 29.0.
The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. Phil Steele's College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine in the game.
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced November 10, 2026, while the three finalists for the will be unveiled November 24, 2026. The winner of the 32nd Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2026. The formal presentations of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Saturday March 13, 2027, at the Coca Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.
Smith is one of the most disruptive players in college football. In 2025, he made 17.5 tackles for loss and led the Big Ten with 12.5 sacks. For his career, Smith has 31.0 tackles for loss and 19.5 sacks.
Minnesota career records are in reach for the Shippensburg, Pa., native. Willie VanDeSteeg (2005-08) is the program record holder for tackles for loss with 43.5, while Karon Riley (1999-00) holds the career sack record with 29.0.
The Maxwell Football Club has once again partnered with Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. Phil Steele's College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine in the game.
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced November 10, 2026, while the three finalists for the will be unveiled November 24, 2026. The winner of the 32nd Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 10, 2026. The formal presentations of the Maxwell Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Saturday March 13, 2027, at the Coca Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.
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