The Maxwell Football Club has added UCLA linebacker Sammy Omosigho and Florida edge rusher Jayden Woods to the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, recognizing two defensive players who have delivered strong starts to the college football season.
The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the college defensive player of the year. The latest additions bring attention to Omosigho’s impact on UCLA’s defense and Woods’ growing presence as a pass rusher for Florida.
Both players have helped their teams open the season with 4-0 records while producing significant defensive statistics through the first four games.
Sammy Omosigho Emerges as Defensive Leader for UCLA
Omosigho, a senior linebacker and UCLA captain, joined the Bruins after transferring from Oklahoma. He has quickly become a central part of UCLA’s defense, recording 37 tackles through four games, including 25 solo stops.
He has also registered three sacks and four forced fumbles. Omosigho forced a fumble in each of UCLA’s first three games, an accomplishment believed to be a first for a Bruins player.
One of his strongest performances came against Purdue, when he finished with 12 tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. The performance earned him UCLA Student-Athlete of the Week honors.
Omosigho also recorded 14 tackles and a sack in UCLA’s season-opening victory at California. He later contributed seven tackles as the Bruins defeated Maryland 54-3.
His combination of tackling production, pressure on opposing quarterbacks and ability to create turnovers has helped UCLA build its unbeaten start and earned him a place on the updated Bednarik Award Watch List.
Jayden Woods Strengthens Florida Pass Rush
Woods, a sophomore edge rusher who plays the JACK position for Florida, has built on a freshman season in which he earned Freshman All-SEC recognition.
Through four games in 2026, Woods has recorded four sacks, already exceeding his total from the entire 2025 season. His early production has established him as a significant part of Florida’s pass rush as the Gators have opened the year 4-0.
Woods delivered a career performance in Florida’s 44-39 victory at Auburn, recording 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. Both figures represented career highs.
That performance earned Woods recognition as the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week for Week 3.
He continued his productive start against Ole Miss on September 26. Woods finished with two tackles for loss and a sack that forced a fumble as Florida secured a 52-28 victory.
The Maxwell Football Club periodically updates the Bednarik Award Watch List during the season, allowing players who emerge through strong performances to enter consideration for the honor.
Bednarik Award Selection Process Moves Toward November
The Maxwell Football Club is again working with Phil Steele Publications as a selection committee partner. Phil Steele’s College Football Preview is widely recognized within college football for its extensive preseason coverage and analysis.
The award process will move into its next major stage in November. Semifinalists for the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award are scheduled to be announced on November 10, followed by the announcement of three finalists on November 24.
The winner of the 32nd Chuck Bednarik Award is scheduled to be revealed during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10, 2026.
The formal presentation will follow several months later at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Saturday, March 13, 2027, at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theater in Atlanta, Georgia.
With Omosigho and Woods now joining the watch list, both players will have an opportunity to strengthen their cases as UCLA and Florida continue their 2026 schedules and the Bednarik Award selection process moves closer to the semifinalist stage.
