Myles Graham (No. 5) celebrates a stop during a game
Chuck Bednarik Award Names Myles Graham to Preseason Watch List
Friday, August 21, 2026 | Football
The award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Junior linebacker Myles Graham has been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watchlist, the Maxwell Football Club announced on Friday
Graham started every game for the Gators in 2025, after Freshman All-SEC in 2024, and led the team with 76 tackles (36 solo) in 2025, while also posting eight QB hurries, seven tackles-for-loss and two sacks. Graham was one of four players in the SEC to post 75-plus tackles and 7.0-plus tackles-for-loss in the regular season. Graham's four pass breakups were tied for second most among FBS linebackers.
This is the third preseason watch list Graham has been added too, including the Butkus Award and the Allstate Wuerfell trophy preseason watch lists. In addition to those Graham has been named to the 2027 Senior Bowl Top 300 list, the East-West Bowl 1000 list and has been nomimated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works team.
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 Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
The semifinalist will be announced Nov. 10 with the three finalist announced on Nov. 24. The winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part f the ESPN Home Depoty College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10
For more information on the Chuck Bednarik Award and the full 2026 preseason watch list, click here.
2026 Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Florida Football season under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for home contests against FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21). Fans can also purchase tickets for the game against Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31.
2026 Season Tickets
Following 18-straight, sold-out games at The Swamp, season ticket packages for the 2026 season are on sale now. The 2026 home schedule features six games against FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21).
2026 Gators Stadium Pass
The Gators Stadium Pass provides guaranteed admission to all six home games of this season. Seat locations are assigned at random during the week leading up to each game, offering pass holders a unique viewing experience from different areas of the stadium. To attend games with friends, accounts may be linked for the full season, or guest passes may be purchased on a per-game basis.
2026 Mini Plans
Build a custom mini plan to lock in the games that best fit your schedule. Two-Game and Three-Game Packs are on sale now.
Graham started every game for the Gators in 2025, after Freshman All-SEC in 2024, and led the team with 76 tackles (36 solo) in 2025, while also posting eight QB hurries, seven tackles-for-loss and two sacks. Graham was one of four players in the SEC to post 75-plus tackles and 7.0-plus tackles-for-loss in the regular season. Graham's four pass breakups were tied for second most among FBS linebackers.
This is the third preseason watch list Graham has been added too, including the Butkus Award and the Allstate Wuerfell trophy preseason watch lists. In addition to those Graham has been named to the 2027 Senior Bowl Top 300 list, the East-West Bowl 1000 list and has been nomimated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works team.
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 Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to be a full-time player on both offense and defense.
The semifinalist will be announced Nov. 10 with the three finalist announced on Nov. 24. The winner of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part f the ESPN Home Depoty College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10
For more information on the Chuck Bednarik Award and the full 2026 preseason watch list, click here.
2026 Single-Game Tickets
Single-game tickets are now on sale for the 2026 Florida Football season under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall. Fans can purchase single-game tickets for home contests against FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21). Fans can also purchase tickets for the game against Georgia in Atlanta on Oct. 31.
2026 Season Tickets
Following 18-straight, sold-out games at The Swamp, season ticket packages for the 2026 season are on sale now. The 2026 home schedule features six games against FAU (Sept. 5), Campbell (Sept. 12), Ole Miss (Sept. 26), South Carolina (Oct. 10), Oklahoma (Nov. 7), and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21).
2026 Gators Stadium Pass
The Gators Stadium Pass provides guaranteed admission to all six home games of this season. Seat locations are assigned at random during the week leading up to each game, offering pass holders a unique viewing experience from different areas of the stadium. To attend games with friends, accounts may be linked for the full season, or guest passes may be purchased on a per-game basis.
2026 Mini Plans
Build a custom mini plan to lock in the games that best fit your schedule. Two-Game and Three-Game Packs are on sale now.
Players Mentioned
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