Ole Miss Players Echoles, Thomas Named to Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List

PHILADELPHIA — The Maxwell Football Club announced Friday that Ole Miss players Will Echoles and Keaton Thomas are among those on the preseason watch list for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to the top defensive college football player in the nation.

Echoles, a junior defensive tackle, returns for his third season at Ole Miss. In 2025, he earned all-conference and All-America honors after starting all 15 games. He recorded 68 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks. Echoles was named the Sugar Bowl Defensive MVP after a standout performance against Georgia, registering five tackles, two tackles for loss, and two pass breakups.

He has also been named to preseason watch lists for the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Wuerffel Trophy. He was selected to the preseason All-SEC first team by coaches and media.

Thomas joined Ole Miss in January 2026 after transferring from Baylor. The Jacksonville, Florida native played two seasons with the Bears, starting 25 games and totaling 217 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, and six pass breakups. Thomas has earned spots on the Butkus Award watch list and preseason All-America teams from On3 and Phil Steele. He was also named to the preseason All-SEC second team by multiple outlets.

Ole Miss has previously had four semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, including Patrick Willis in 2005 and Robert Nkemdiche in 2015. Semifinalists for the 2026 award will be announced Nov. 10, with finalists revealed Nov. 24. The award winner will be announced during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10.

Ole Miss is set to open the 2026 season Sunday, Sept. 6, against Louisville at 6:30 p.m. CT at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, following a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance last season.

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