November 10, 2026 | Football
STARKVILLE โ Mississippi State senior cornerback Kelley Jones has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday. The award is presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football.
Through nine games this season, Jones, a Clarksdale, Miss., native, has recorded 33 total tackles, 21 of those being solo, and seven pass breakups. Jones had a standout game versus Missouri earlier in the season, achieving a career-high in tackles of eight, four pass breakups and a tackle for loss. Most recently against Vanderbilt, Jones brought down six tackles.
Jones was a Third Team All-SEC selection in 2025, when he started all 13 games and finished with 34 tackles, 11 pass breakups and two interceptions.
The Maxwell Football Club will announce three Bednarik Award finalists Nov. 24. The winner will be revealed Dec. 10 during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show. The award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses 25 of college football's most prestigious honors.
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