Josh Moten Named to Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List
8/11/2025 11:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- The Maxwell Football Club has named Southern Miss cornerback Josh Moten as one of 90 players to watch for the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award, which honors the nation's best defensive player.Â
The award is named after Chuck Bednarik, an NFL Hall of Fame linebacker and center who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Known as one of the last "60-minute men" for playing both offense and defense, Bednarik exemplified toughness, excellence, and leadership on the field—values that the award bearing his name seeks to recognize in today's top defensive players.
In July, the Waldorf, Md. native was named preseason All-Sun Belt first team by the conference after helping Marshall to a league title in 2024. Moten was named a HERO G5 Honorable Mention All-American last season after finishing with five interceptions — that was tied for third in the FBS and tops in the Sun Belt. He posted an interception in four of the final five games, including a highlight-reel pick in the championship game against Louisiana.Â
Moten finished his 2024 campaign with 38 tackles and five pass breakups. He added five tackles and one interception against Ohio State, which ended up going on to win the 2024 national championship.Â
The Maxwell Football Club has partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed metrics and performance-based assessments to selection committee staff, with several senior PFF analysts being members of our selection committee. Phil Steele's College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced November 11, 2025, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 25, 2025. The winner of the 31st Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 11, 2025. The formal presentations of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Visit ncfaa.org/awards/bednarik-award for the full watch list.
ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, NFL Foundation, College Sports Communicators, SRA Inc., Vertical Raise, Quinco Inc., the ETC Foundation, and the Bradley Law Firm.
The award is named after Chuck Bednarik, an NFL Hall of Fame linebacker and center who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles. Known as one of the last "60-minute men" for playing both offense and defense, Bednarik exemplified toughness, excellence, and leadership on the field—values that the award bearing his name seeks to recognize in today's top defensive players.
In July, the Waldorf, Md. native was named preseason All-Sun Belt first team by the conference after helping Marshall to a league title in 2024. Moten was named a HERO G5 Honorable Mention All-American last season after finishing with five interceptions — that was tied for third in the FBS and tops in the Sun Belt. He posted an interception in four of the final five games, including a highlight-reel pick in the championship game against Louisiana.Â
Moten finished his 2024 campaign with 38 tackles and five pass breakups. He added five tackles and one interception against Ohio State, which ended up going on to win the 2024 national championship.Â
The Maxwell Football Club has partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners. PFF provides detailed metrics and performance-based assessments to selection committee staff, with several senior PFF analysts being members of our selection committee. Phil Steele's College Football Preview is generally recognized as the most complete preseason magazine.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced November 11, 2025, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled November 25, 2025. The winner of the 31st Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 11, 2025. The formal presentations of the Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on Friday, March 13, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Visit ncfaa.org/awards/bednarik-award for the full watch list.
ABOUT THE MAXWELL FOOTBALL CLUB
The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 and is the oldest football organization of its kind in America. The Club recognizes excellence in performance at the high school, collegiate, and professional levels of the game. The Maxwell Club is also deeply involved and fully vested in the community through programs to promote academic excellence, community volunteerism, and leadership. High school student-athletes around the country have an opportunity to participate in MFC Showcase events, free of charge, through the generosity of our corporate partners, NFL Foundation, College Sports Communicators, SRA Inc., Vertical Raise, Quinco Inc., the ETC Foundation, and the Bradley Law Firm.
Players Mentioned
CB
/ FootballCharles Huff Weekly Press Conference - The Jackson State Game
Tuesday, September 02
Charles Huff Weekly Press Conference - The Mississippi State Game
Tuesday, August 26
Charles Huff Press Conference - August 12
Tuesday, August 12
Charles Huff Fall Camp Press Conference - August 8, 2025
Friday, August 08