Courtesy of Miami Athletics:

Miami defensive linemen Ahmad Moten Sr. and Damon Wilson II were named to the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Friday.

The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.

Moten, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., native, started 14 games in 2025 and finished with 31 tackles, including nine tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. He has appeared in 38 games during his Miami career, totaling 51 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.

Wilson joins the Hurricanes after a breakout 2025 season in which he started 12 of 13 games and totaled 23 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He also added two pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery.

The Venice, Fla., native has appeared in 39 games during his collegiate career, recording 49 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and 12.5 sacks.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 10, with three finalists set to be unveiled Nov. 24. The winner will be announced Dec. 10 during The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.

 

Have keyed on wilson every snap and besides that batted down ball he has lost every rep from the tv broadcast. Power rush over and over again with no counter or other move shown tonight.

I look forward to someone like @Lance Roffers breaking this down because that was tough to key on/watch that half

 

It’s crazy though cause he’s a speed rusher! WTF is he doing out there?!! He’s not doing any speed rush moves! He’s just bull rushing! Insane!! Ain’t seen a push pull, no spin moves, no rips, nothing but bull rushes! Unbelievable

 

He looks heavy and has no rush moves.

 

Nitpicking here cause it’s early, but Moten is getting stonewalled and pushed 5 yards behind the LOS every time I key up on him. Doesn’t look like the late 1st round grade he garnered from his play last year.

 

It’s crazy though cause he’s a speed rusher! WTF is he doing out there?!! He’s not doing any speed rush moves! He’s just bull rushing! Insane!! Ain’t seen a push pull, no spin moves, no rips, nothing but bull rushes! Unbelievable

It is bad tape man. Hopefully he shows us something in 2H. He looks like Jafari Harvey out there,

We were told he was unblock able in fall camp. That is comical given what he showed in his bag in 1st half

 

Nitpicking here cause it’s early, but Moton is getting stonewalled 5 yards behind the LOS every time I key up on him. Doesn’t look like the late 1st round grade he garnered from his late season play last year.

Interior has shown more juice than edge but can’t argue with you as I have seen the same on a few snaps

 

Have keyed on wilson every snap and besides that batted down ball he has lost every rep from the tv broadcast. Power rush over and over again with no counter or other move shown tonight.

I look forward to someone like @Lance Roffers breaking this down because that was tough to key on/watch that half

It wasn't good.

 

I understand trying to improve on weaknesses but I hope he’s not trying to be Akheem Mesidor bc that’s **** near impossible and not his skillset. Blount and Lightfoot are the better all around DEs imo. Wilson just needs to be Wilson… and if that’s just an elite pass rush specialist that’s good enough.

 

Did Wilson play? ACC tackles >>>>>> SEC tackles

 

It wasn't good.

That’s an understatement

 

He looks heavy and has no rush moves.

I thought he looked a little sloppy too but barely aw him and was hoping i was wrong. Hey at least he was a cheap addition.

 

I understand trying to improve on weaknesses but I hope he’s not trying to be Akheem Mesidor bc that’s **** near impossible and not his skillset. Blount and Lightfoot are the better all around DEs imo. Wilson just needs to be Wilson… and if that’s just an elite pass rush specialist that’s good enough.

Working on your weaknesses against an inferior o line is great. But once that “weak” o line has completely neutralized you because you’re working on your weaknesses it’s time to play ball. Didn’t see that last night from Wilson. It was concerning but if we’re seeing it we know **** well the staff is all over it