University of Memphis Athletics
Whitlow Jr. Named to Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
Aug 11, 2025 | Football
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – University of Memphis defensive lineman William Whitlow Jr. was named to the 31st Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Monday. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck "Concrete Charlie' Bednarik who was an All-American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All=Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
Whitlow, a 2024 First Team All-AAC defensive lineman, totaled 24 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble in 13 games for the Tigers last season. The redshirt junior out of Millbrook, Ala., ranked second on the team with 45 tackle-for-loss yards and 34 yards on four sacks.
The Maxwell Football Club once again 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 are member of our selection committee.
Semifinalists for the Chuck 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, Ga.
Memphis football fans can see the Tigers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in the team's season opener on Saturday, Aug. 30 with single-game tickets starting at just $20. The team's season opener against Chattanooga is the annual "901 Game" with tickets available AT THIS LINK.
New this year, fans are encouraged to purchase early and save. Ticket prices will increase by $5 during game week ($10 for Arkansas) and again by an additional $5 on game day ($10 for Arkansas) at the Box Office. This change helps support enhanced planning for security, concessions, and staffing. Historically, over 90% of single-game tickets are purchased during game week.
Season ticket prices remain unchanged from 2024, following a perfect 7-0 home campaign. With prices averaging under $25 per game, season tickets remain the best value for Tiger fans. Tickets can be purchased online at GoTigersGo.com or by calling the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331.
For fans seeking more flexibility, the Memphis Football Mini Plan offers access to three premier matchups — Arkansas, Tulsa, and South Florida — starting at just $85.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The Bednarik Award has been presented to the College Defensive Player of the Year since 1994 and is named in honor of Chuck "Concrete Charlie' Bednarik who was an All-American player at the University of Pennsylvania and later a multiple year All=Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a member of both the College and Pro Football Hall of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
Whitlow, a 2024 First Team All-AAC defensive lineman, totaled 24 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble in 13 games for the Tigers last season. The redshirt junior out of Millbrook, Ala., ranked second on the team with 45 tackle-for-loss yards and 34 yards on four sacks.
The Maxwell Football Club once again 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 are member of our selection committee.
Semifinalists for the Chuck 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, Ga.
Memphis football fans can see the Tigers at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in the team's season opener on Saturday, Aug. 30 with single-game tickets starting at just $20. The team's season opener against Chattanooga is the annual "901 Game" with tickets available AT THIS LINK.
New this year, fans are encouraged to purchase early and save. Ticket prices will increase by $5 during game week ($10 for Arkansas) and again by an additional $5 on game day ($10 for Arkansas) at the Box Office. This change helps support enhanced planning for security, concessions, and staffing. Historically, over 90% of single-game tickets are purchased during game week.
Season ticket prices remain unchanged from 2024, following a perfect 7-0 home campaign. With prices averaging under $25 per game, season tickets remain the best value for Tiger fans. Tickets can be purchased online at GoTigersGo.com or by calling the Memphis Ticket Office at (901) 678-2331.
For fans seeking more flexibility, the Memphis Football Mini Plan offers access to three premier matchups — Arkansas, Tulsa, and South Florida — starting at just $85.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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