Louis, Biles Named to 2025 Bednarik Award Watch List
8/11/2025 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH – Pitt standouts Kyle Louis and Rasheem Biles have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award, presented annually to the nation's top defensive player by the Maxwell Football Club.
Louis, a redshirt junior linebacker, enters the 2025 campaign as one of the most decorated defenders in college football. The 2024 First Team All-American posted 101 tackles last season and led the Panthers with 15.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks, and four interceptions—one returned for a touchdown. He also delivered a rare defensive two-point conversion by returning a blocked extra point. Louis is already recognized on multiple national award watch lists, including the Butkus Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and Walter Camp Player of the Year.
Biles, a junior linebacker, emerged as a key leader in Pitt's defense in 2024, recording 82 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, one interception (returned for a touchdown), one fumble recovery, one forced fumble, and a team-high nine pass breakups. He also tallied five forced incompletions last season, tied for the most among returning Power Four linebackers in 2025, and ranked among the top 10 nationally in sacks and tackles for loss or no gain among returning linebackers.
The Bednarik Award, named in honor of College and Pro Football Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik, has been presented annually since 1995 to the top defensive player in college football. Semifinalists will be announced in November, with the winner revealed during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show in December.
Pitt is no stranger to Bednarik Award recognition, with past honorees including Aaron Donald, who captured the award in 2013.
For the full Bednarik Award watch list, visit MaxwellFootballClub.org.
