KJ Bolden, Chris Cole named 2026 Bednarik Award semifinalists

Georgia football defensive back KJ Bolden and inside linebacker Chris Cole have each been named 2026 Bednarik Award semifinalists, the Maxwell Football Club has announced.

The Bednarik Award, named after Chuck Bednarik, is an annual award given to the college football defensive player of the year. The Maxwell Football Club again partnered with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications as selection committee partners.

Three finalists for the award will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 24 and a finalist round of voting will take place at that time. The winner of the 32nd Bednarik Award will be announced at the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Friday, Dec. 11, 2026.

KJ Bolden, a 6-foot-0, 195-pound junior, hails from Buford, Ga. Bolden is Georgia’s fifth-leading tackler with 31 total stops this season, including 22 solo tackles.  He also has two tackles for loss, half of a sack, two pass break-ups, and two interceptions returned for 55 yards.

Cole, a 6-foot-3, 235-pound junior from Salem, Va., leads the Georgia defense with 58 total tackles (41 solo). He has has 11 tackles for loss, five sacks for 26 yards, and three fumble recoveries (174 yards, one touchdown) on the season.

Georgia’s next game is on Saturday, November 14 at home in Athens against the Missouri Tigers. The game will be televised by ABC at 3:30pm ET (Buy Tickets).

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KJ Bolden and Chris Cole have been named semifinalists for the Bednarik Award! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/nvTTStc9AJ

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) November 10, 2026