Caleb Banks, Tyreak Sapp make Chuck Bednarik Award watch list
The Chuck Bednarik Award goes annually to the best defensive player in NCAA Division I college football who also shows great skill, leadership and impact in the sport. The Florida Gators have two players on the award’s preseason watch list—defensive lineman Caleb Banks and EDGE Tyreak Sapp, it was announced Monday.
Banks, a redshirt senior, arrived at Florida two years ago as a little-hyped transfer from Louisville. There, he appeared in just seven games for the Cardinals. But 2024 changed everything. In 10 starts, he racked up 21 tackles (10 solo), 7 tackles-for-loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
His breakout stretch came against versus opponents. Against No. 21 LSU, he was a menace, recording seven QB pressures, three tackles and a forced fumble in a statement win. A week later, he torched No. 9 Ole Miss for 2.5 sacks and four stops behind the line in a 24-17 victory, earning SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week.
Tyreak Sapp is coming off a big 2024 season
Sapp, also a redshirt senior, plays the ultra-important “F” position for UF. He is coming off his best season yet, racking up seven sacks in 2024—up from two the previous year. Listed at 6-foot-2.5 and 274 pounds, Sapp enters the 2025 season as a centerpiece of Florida’s defense. He was UF’s highest-graded defensive player in 2024 per Pro Football Focus.
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Both Caleb Banks and Tyreak Sapp could have departed for the NFL after the 2024 season. But they instead opted for one more year in Gainesville.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 11. The three finalists will be named Nov. 25. The winner of the 31sst Bednarik Award will be announced as Dec. 11.
