Badgers star named to watchlist for Defensive Player of the Year

Badgers star named to watchlist for Defensive Player of the Year

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Badgers star named to watchlist for Defensive Player of the Year
Nov 8, 2025; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Washington Huskies running back Jonah Coleman (1) rushes with the football against Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Mason Posa (8) during the second quarter at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Last week, Wisconsin Badgers star linebacker Mason Posa was named to the Butkus Award preseason watchlist, given to the top linebacker in the country.

This weekend, he was named to the Bednarik Award watchlist, named after Chuck Bednarik and given to college football’s defensive player of the year.

Posa is coming off a freshman season where he accumulated 58 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery, and is now set to lead Wisconsin’s defense as a full-time starter at linebacker in 2026.

Wisconsin has looked to improve on both sides of the ball this offseason and has added a lot of pieces around Posa on defense, including on the defensive line, at linebacker, and especially in the secondary. Posa could play a similar versatile role that he saw at the end of last season, where he shifted down to rush the passer in blitzing situations and some passing downs.

There are 19 total Big Ten players who were named to the Bednarik Award watchlist, while 91 overall players in college football earned recognition.

Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez was the winner of the award, while Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter won it in 2024.

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