Penn State football linebacker Tony Rojas was named to the Bednarik Award watch list, the program announced Wednesday.

Rojas joins safety Jeremiah Cooper, named a candidate in August, as one of the Nittany Lions’ nominees.

Tony Rojas has been added to the Bednarik Award Watch List! pic.twitter.com/ODdHP5thet

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) October 28, 2026

The Bednarik Award is college football’s premier honor presented annually to the defensive player of the year.

It’s named after Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik, an All-American player at Penn and an All-Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. The award honors the country’s most dominant, physical, and relentless defensive playmaker.

Rojas has been a stat sheet stuffer in Penn State’s defense, racking up 56 total tackles, 10.5 tackles-for-loss, five sacks, four pass deflections, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in seven games.

The redshirt junior has responded exceptionally well to the season-ending lower-body injury he suffered in practice during Week 6 last year, becoming the only FBS player this season with more than 10.5 tackles for loss and two or more interceptions.

The Bednarik Award watchlist joins Rojas’ nominations to the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated midseason All-American second team, Comeback Player of the Year, Hispanic College Football Player of the Year, and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists.

Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on November 10, and the three finalists will be revealed on November 24.

ESPN will announce the winner live during the Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10.

About the Author