Florida State Star Named To Bednarik Award Watch List

Six different Seminoles are on preseason award watchlists.

Jul 15, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive back Ja’Bril Rawls speaks to the media during ACC Media Days at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Florida State defensive back Ja’Bril Rawls was named to the Bednarik Award Watch List on Friday. The award is given to the outstanding defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club.

Rawls, a senior from Pensacola, started seven games at cornerback in 2025 before an injury ended his season. The first-year starter contributed 40 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery. In a breakout game at Virginia, Rawls had 11 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss and one interception, the first Seminole with that stat line since 2005.

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Against Pitt, all 10 of Rawls’ tackles were solo, the first Seminole to achieve the feat since 2017. He returned a fumble seven yards against Wake Forest and ended the season with a pass breakup and three tackles at Clemson. For his career, Rawls has 58 tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery.

The 32nd Chuck Bednarik Award, named after the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker and center, will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN on December 10.

The Seminoles will open the 2026 season August 29 at 7:00 p.m. against New Mexico State inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

Preseason Honors

7/20 – Duce Robinson – Good Works Team Nominee

7/29 – Duce Robinson – Preseason All-ACC

8/3 – Duce Robinson – Maxwell Award Watch List

8/6 – Duce Robinson – Sporting News Preseason All-American Second Team

8/7 – Gabe Panikowski – Groza Award Watch List

8/11 – Duce Robinson – Wuerffel Trophy Watch List

8/14 – Daniel Hughes – Ray Guy Award Watch List

8/17 – Duce Robinson – Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List

8/18 – Ousmane Kromah – Doak Walker Award Watch List

8/18 – Quintrevion Wisner – Doak Walker Award Watch List

8/19 – Duce Robinson – Biletnikoff Award Watch List

8/21 – Ja’Bril Rawls – Bednarik Award Watch List

*Release courtesy of FSU Athletics

2026 Florida State Football Schedule:

Saturday, August 29 vs. New Mexico State - Tallahassee - 7:00 p.m. ET on The CW

Monday, September 7 vs. SMU – Tallahassee - 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN

Saturday, September 19 at Alabama – Tuscaloosa, Ala. - 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC

Saturday, September 26 vs. Central Arkansas – Tallahassee (Family Weekend/Hall of Fame)

Saturday, October 3 vs. Virginia – Tallahassee (Cancer Awareness)

Friday, October 9 at Louisville – Louisville, Ky. - 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

Saturday, October 17 at Miami – Miami Gardens, Fla.

Saturday, October 31 vs. Clemson – Tallahassee (Military Appreciation)

Saturday, November 7 at Boston College – Chestnut Hill, Mass.

Saturday, November 13 at Pitt – Pittsburgh, Pa. - 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN

Saturday, November 21 vs. NC State – Tallahassee (Homecoming/Seminole Heritage/Athlete Alumni Reunion)

Friday, November 27 vs. Florida – Tallahassee - 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC

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