Jones Picks Up Bednarik Award Watch List Honors
August 21, 2026 | Football
STARKVILLE — Mississippi State cornerback Kelley Jones has been named to the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Friday.
After appearing in 11 games with four starts and collecting 29 tackles last season, Jones enters 2026 on the AP and PFN All-America lists in addition to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List, Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, Preseason Coaches All-SEC Team, and Senior Bowl Top 300.
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football, will be announced on November 10, 2026, followed by the unveiling of three finalists on November 24, 2026. The winner will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10, 2026, with formal presentations to follow at the Maxwell Football Club Awards in Atlanta on March 13, 2027.
The award is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses 25 of college football's most prestigious honors.
Associated Press Lists Jones On Preseason All-America Team
Jones was labeled a preseason second team defensive back on Tuesday’s elite list of college football talent.
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