Photo by: Tim Sanger
Keenan Wilson Named to Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
8/21/2026 12:54:00 PM | Football
North Dakota State junior defensive lineman Keenan Wilson has been named to the watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck 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.
As NDSU begins its first season of competition at the FBS level, Wilson is the program's first representative on the Bednarik Award watch list.
Wilson (Eagan, Minn.) claimed FCS All-America accolades from three outlets last season, starting all 13 games at defensive tackle and posting 8.0 tackles-for-loss and 4.0 sacks.
Last year's Chuck Bednarik Award winner was Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech. This season's semifinalists will be announced Nov. 10.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck 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.
As NDSU begins its first season of competition at the FBS level, Wilson is the program's first representative on the Bednarik Award watch list.
Wilson (Eagan, Minn.) claimed FCS All-America accolades from three outlets last season, starting all 13 games at defensive tackle and posting 8.0 tackles-for-loss and 4.0 sacks.
Last year's Chuck Bednarik Award winner was Jacob Rodriguez of Texas Tech. This season's semifinalists will be announced Nov. 10.
Players Mentioned
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