Iowa State’s Orange, Williams Named to Bednarik Watch List
Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange and cornerback Jontez Williams were named Monday to the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, which is presented annually to the nation’s top defensive player in college football.
The Cyclones are one of two Big 12 programs, along with Texas Tech, to have at least two players on the watch list. Both Orange and Williams were also preseason All-Big 12 picks.
Orange, a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection, finished last season with 24 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss. In the final five games, the North Kansas City (Mo.) alum recorded 14 tackles, 3.5 of them behind the line of scrimmage.
Williams, a second-team All-Big 12 pick last season, anchored Iowa State’s secondary. He allowed only one touchdown and posted a 19.6 passer rating against in 338 coverage snaps in 2024. Williams, a Starke (Fla.) Bradford alum, is the highest-graded returning cornerback in the Big 12 according to Pro Football Focus.
Williams led the Cyclones and tied for third in the conference with four interceptions, adding five pass breakups. All four interceptions came in consecutive games, tying the second-longest streak in school history.
Iowa State opens the 2025 season Aug. 23 in Dublin, Ireland, against Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic.
