Isaac Smith Named To Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State safety Isaac Smith was named to the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.

Smith, who earned Second Team All-SEC honors from the League's coaches last Fall, played in 11 games, registering 127 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, three pass break-ups and one fumble recovery. He led the SEC in tackles and finished seventh nationally, becoming the third consecutive Mississippi State player to lead the SEC in tackles.

He had a career game at No. 7 Tennessee last Fall, earning his first-career 20-tackle game, highlighted by 10 stops in the first quarter. Smith was one of four FBS players in 2024 to have a 20+ tackle game, while being the only Power-4 player to do so. Since 1994, there have only been six 20+ tackle performances for the Bulldogs.

This preseason, Smith was named to the Media's Preseason All-SEC Third Team as a defensive back, the Athlon Sports Preseason All-SEC Second Team as a safety and the Phil Steele Preseason All-SEC Second Team.

Smith and the Bulldogs will kickoff the 2025 season on Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. (CT) when they travel to Southern Miss. State's first home contest will be on Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. (CT) when they welcome Arizona State to Davis Wade Stadium.

For the most up-to-date information on the Bulldogs, follow MSU football on X, like them on Facebook and join them on Instagram by searching for "HailStateFB."

– HailState.com –

Mississippi State University Athletics

Isaac Smith Named To Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List

Players Mentioned

Isaac Smith

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