Georgia football linebacker Chris Cole has been named the Bednarik Player of the Week following his performance in Georgia’s 20-17 win over Alabama, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday.
Cole, a Salem, Va., native, delivered a dominant outing against the Tide, piling up eight tackles, a sack, and 2.5 tackles for loss. He added two quarterback pressures and two pass breakups, spearheading a Bulldogs defense that held Alabama to 6-of-13 on third down, registered four sacks, and kept the Tide scoreless in both the first and fourth quarters.
The Bednarik Award, named after Chuck Bednarik, is an annual award given to the college football defensive player of the year.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced on Nov. 10 before being narrowed down to three finalists on Nov. 24. The winner of the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award will then be announced on Dec. 10 as part of ESPN’s Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
Georgia’s next game is on Saturday, October 17 at home against the Auburn Tigers. The game will be televised by ESPN at 3:30pm ET (Buy Tickets).