Jacas, Scott Named to Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Two Illinois defensive standouts, outside linebacker Gabe Jacas and defensive back Xavier Scott, have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.

The Illini duo is among 90 players listed in consideration for the College Defensive Player of the Year honor. Illinois is one of 23 programs nationally with multiple players listed on the preseason watch list. Jacas and Scott are among 20 Big Ten players on the watch list.

The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football. The award was launched in 1995, and it is named in honor of Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik, a two-time Super Bowl champion and the last player in NFL history to play full-time on both sides of the ball (center and linebacker). The Bednarik Award is voted on by NCAA head college football coaches, members of the Maxwell Football Club, and sportswriters and sportscasters from across the country.

• Chuck Bednarik Award Website
• Last three winners:
  • 2024: Travis Hunter, CB, Colorado
  • 2023: Payton Wilson, LB, NC State
  • 2022: Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama

• 2025 Athlon Preseason All-America Third Team
• 2025 Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List
• 2025 Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
• 2025 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten First Team
• 2025 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten First Team
• 2025 Big Ten Preseason Honors
• No. 20 overall player in college football according to CBS.com's spring rankings
• No. 2 in the Big Ten in sacks among returners (8.0) behind only Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei (10.5)
• 2024 Phil Steele All-America Third Team
• 2024 All-Big Ten Third Team (Coaches and Media)
• Started all 13 games at outside linebacker and had 74 tackles, 13.0 tackles for loss, 8.0 sacks, 10 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery 
• Totaled 41 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in six games against ranked teams in 2024
• Finished the 2024 regular season top-25 nationally in forced fumbles (t-21st, 3) and sacks (t-24th, 8.0)
• Tied with Oregon DE Matayo Uiagalelei for second-most sacks in Big Ten games (7.0)
• Career-high 3.0 tackles for loss and eight tackles in Illinois' Cheez-It Citrus Bowl win over #14 South Carolina (12/31/24)

• 2025 Athlon Preseason All-America Fourth Team
• 2025 Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List
• 2025 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
• 2025 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten First Team
• 2025 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten First Team
• No. 139 overall player in college football according to CBS.com's spring rankings
• 2024 Phil Steele All-America Honorable Mention
• 2024 All-Big Ten First Team (Media)
• 2024 All-Big Ten Second Team (Coaches)
• 2024 AP All-Big Ten First Team
• 2024 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist as one of the top 15 defensive backs in college football
• Started all 13 games at defensive back in 2024, recording 49 tackles (43 solo), 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble, four interceptions, and six pass breakups
• Tied for second in the Big Ten and 15th in the nation in interceptions (4) during the 2024 regular season
• Led Big Ten cornerbacks in snaps played (792)
• No. 3-ranked cornerback in the Big Ten by PFF (82.3)
• No. 4-ranked tackling grade among cornerbacks in the Big Ten by PFF (85.1)
• First-career pick six, first-career two-interception game, and one forced fumble to lead Illinois to a win vs. #19 Kansas (9/7/24)

• Luke Altmyer – Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, Davey O'Brien Award
• Tanner Arkin – John Mackey Award
• Hank Beatty – Paul Hornung Award
• Bret Bielema – Dodd Trophy, Allstate AFCA Good Works Team
• J.C. Davis – Outland Trophy
• Kaden Feagin – Doak Walker Award
• Lane Hansen – Patrick Mannelly Award
• Gabe Jacas – Lott IMPACT Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award
• Aidan Laughery – Doak Walker Award
• Kenenna Odeluga – Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
• Xavier Scott – Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Paycom Jim Thorpe Award, Chuck Bednarik Award