November 10, 2026 | Football
PHILADELPHIAย โย Texas Tech senior defensive tackle A.J. Holmes Jr. was named Tuesday as a semifinalist for the 32nd Chuck Bednarik Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club. The award is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player. Holmes is looking to become the second consecutive Red Raider to earn the honor, following linebacker Jacob Rodriguez in 2025.
Holmes is one of 18 players selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee and one of three interior defensive linemen recognized.
A preseason favorite for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Holmes has backed up those accolades in his fifth season with the Red Raiders. He leads all interior defensive linemen nationally with 43 pressures and 7.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). His pressure total ranks tied for third among all FBS players, while his 90.2 overall grade ranks tied for 15th among players from power conferences. His 90.7 pass-rush grade also leads his position group.
Holmes has recorded at least four pressures in eight of nine games this season, with the lone exception coming against Sam Houston, when he played a season-low 34 defensive snaps. He has recorded at least a share of a sack in six of nine contests, including 5.0 over the past four games. His 7.5 sacks rank tied for 11th nationally and lead all interior defensive linemen.
Holmes has helped anchor a defensive front that has produced the eighth-most sacks in the FBS with 29. Holmes leads the way with 7.5, followed by Trey White (5.0), LaDamion Guyton (4.0) and Mateen Ibirogba (3.5).
Holmes, an Associated Press second-team All-America selection last season, has also earned midseason first-team All-America recognition from On3 and Sports Illustrated, second-team honors from the Associated Press and a spot on the Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List. He was also named to the DCTF Midseason All-Texas College Football First Team.
2026 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists
Holmes is one of 18 players selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee and one of three interior defensive linemen recognized.
A preseason favorite for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, Holmes has backed up those accolades in his fifth season with the Red Raiders. He leads all interior defensive linemen nationally with 43 pressures and 7.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). His pressure total ranks tied for third among all FBS players, while his 90.2 overall grade ranks tied for 15th among players from power conferences. His 90.7 pass-rush grade also leads his position group.
Holmes has recorded at least four pressures in eight of nine games this season, with the lone exception coming against Sam Houston, when he played a season-low 34 defensive snaps. He has recorded at least a share of a sack in six of nine contests, including 5.0 over the past four games. His 7.5 sacks rank tied for 11th nationally and lead all interior defensive linemen.
Holmes has helped anchor a defensive front that has produced the eighth-most sacks in the FBS with 29. Holmes leads the way with 7.5, followed by Trey White (5.0), LaDamion Guyton (4.0) and Mateen Ibirogba (3.5).
Holmes, an Associated Press second-team All-America selection last season, has also earned midseason first-team All-America recognition from On3 and Sports Illustrated, second-team honors from the Associated Press and a spot on the Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List. He was also named to the DCTF Midseason All-Texas College Football First Team.
2026 Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalists
- Luke Metz, Alabama (So., LB)
- Kingston Lopa,ย Cal (So., DB)
- Ashton Hampton, Clemson (Jr., CB)
- Gideon Lampron, Colorado (Sr., LB)
- KJ Bolden, Georgia (Jr., DB)
- Chris Cole, Georgia (Jr., LB)
- Tobi Osunsanmi, Indiana (Sr., DL)
- Cam Buffington, Iowa (Jr., LB)
- Princewill Umanmielen,ย LSU (Sr., DE)
- Kelley Jones, Mississippi State (Sr., CB)
- Xavier Lewis, North Carolina (So., DT)
- Leonard Moore, Notre Dame (Jr., CB)
- Xavier Gilliam, Tennessee (So., DL)
- Colin Simmons, Texas (Jr., EDGE)
- AJ Holmes Jr., Texas Tech (Sr., DL)
- Sammy Omosigho, UCLA (Sr., LB)
- Mason Posa,ย Wisconsin (So., LB)
- Cooper Catalano, Wisconsin (So.,ย LB)
Players Mentioned
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