.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Echoles, Thomas Named to Preseason Watch List for Bednarik Award
8/21/2026 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – The Maxwell Football Club announced their preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award on Friday, presented annually to the nation's defensive college player of the year, selecting Ole Miss defensive lineman Will Echoles and linebacker Keaton Thomas to the list.
Echoles returns to Ole Miss for his third season following a 2025 campaign that saw the lineman earn all-conference and All-America honors. Starting all 15 games at defensive tackle, the junior collected 68 total tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Echoles was named the 2025 Sugar Bowl Defensive MVP after registering five tackles, two TFL, and two pass breakups against No. 3 Georgia.
Echoles adds to his early 2026 resume which saw him recently earn spots on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Wuerffel Trophy, and a selection to the preseason all-SEC first team by the coaches and media.
Thomas joined the Ole Miss program during January of 2026 and participated in spring drills after transferring from Baylor. The Jacksonville, Florida native spent two seasons with the Bears, starting 25 games and totaling 217 tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, and six pass breakups.
In addition to the 2026 Bednarik Award watch list, Thomas has earned a spot on the Butkus Award watch list, has seen his name on the On3 and Phil Steele preseason All-America teams, and has been named an all-SEC preseason second team selection by numerous outlets.
Ole Miss has had four semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, including Patrick Willis in 2005, Robert Nkemdiche in 2015, Walter Nolen III in 2024, and Chris Paul Jr. in 2024.
Semifinalists for the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on November 10, while the three finalists will be unveiled on November 24. The winner of the award will be announced on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10.
Coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance a season ago, the Ole Miss football team is set to kickoff the 2026 season on Sunday, September 6 against Louisville at 6:30 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Echoles returns to Ole Miss for his third season following a 2025 campaign that saw the lineman earn all-conference and All-America honors. Starting all 15 games at defensive tackle, the junior collected 68 total tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. Echoles was named the 2025 Sugar Bowl Defensive MVP after registering five tackles, two TFL, and two pass breakups against No. 3 Georgia.
Echoles adds to his early 2026 resume which saw him recently earn spots on the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Wuerffel Trophy, and a selection to the preseason all-SEC first team by the coaches and media.
Thomas joined the Ole Miss program during January of 2026 and participated in spring drills after transferring from Baylor. The Jacksonville, Florida native spent two seasons with the Bears, starting 25 games and totaling 217 tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, and six pass breakups.
In addition to the 2026 Bednarik Award watch list, Thomas has earned a spot on the Butkus Award watch list, has seen his name on the On3 and Phil Steele preseason All-America teams, and has been named an all-SEC preseason second team selection by numerous outlets.
Ole Miss has had four semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, including Patrick Willis in 2005, Robert Nkemdiche in 2015, Walter Nolen III in 2024, and Chris Paul Jr. in 2024.
Semifinalists for the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on November 10, while the three finalists will be unveiled on November 24. The winner of the award will be announced on the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10.
Coming off a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance a season ago, the Ole Miss football team is set to kickoff the 2026 season on Sunday, September 6 against Louisville at 6:30 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
Players Mentioned
DT
/ Football
LB
/ FootballTuesday, August 18
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 12
Wednesday, August 12