Iowa City Today

University of Iowa football defensive tackle Aaron Graves has been named to the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, which recognizes the nation’s most outstanding defensive player. The announcement was made Monday.

Graves, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 295 pounds, started all 13 games at defensive tackle during the 2024 season. He recorded 33 tackles, including eight tackles for loss and six sacks. Graves also forced three fumbles, broke up three passes, and registered two quarterback pressures. His three forced fumbles led the Big Ten Conference last season. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten and earned second-team Academic All-American honors.

In addition to the Bednarik Award watch list, Graves was previously listed as a candidate for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Trophy. He was also selected as a preseason second team All-American by Phil Steele.

The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented annually since 1994 and is named after University of Pennsylvania linebacker Chuck Bednarik. Preseason honorees are chosen by the Maxwell Football Club in partnership with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications.

Semifinalists for the award will be announced on November 11, with finalists revealed on November 25. The winner will be named on December 11.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are scheduled to open their season against UAlbany at Kinnick Stadium on August 30 at 5 p.m. Central Time.

Other Iowa players on national watch lists for various awards include Rhys Dakin (Ray Guy Award), Gennings Dunker (Outland Trophy, Wuerffel Award), Mark Gronowski (Maxwell Award), Logan Jones (Outland Trophy, Rimington Trophy), Kamari Moulton (Doak Walker Award), Zach Ortwerth (Mackey Award), Drew Stevens (Lou Groza Award), and Kaden Wetjen (Jet Award).