PHILADELPHIA – Texas State's Ben Bell was today named to the watch list for the 30th Chuck Bednarik Award, which is presented annually to the outstanding defensive player in college football, as announced by the Maxwell Football Club.

Bell was a second-team All-Sun Belt selection in 2023 registering 57 tackles (32 solo), including a team-best 16 tackles for loss (T20 NCAA) for 88 yards and 10 sacks (T9 NCAA) for 76 yards. The 10 sacks were a single-season FBS program record, while his TFL total matched the program mark.

Across two seasons in San Marcos, Bell has racked up 82 tackles, with 19 TFLs, 12 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles.

Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced November 12, while the three finalists will be unveiled November 26. The winners of the 30th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on December 12.
 
Coming off a historic 2023 campaign, Texas State is favored to win the Sun Belt Conference's West Division, while eight student-athletes were selected as preseason all-conference honorees by the league. The Bobcats open the season Saturday, August 31 at 7 p.m. CT against Lamar for the 2024 Home Opener and Bowl Championship Celebration. Bobcat football season ticket sales have doubled heading into the 2024 season, but packages are still available and going fast. Single-game tickets and mini-plans are available as well. Click here to see all ticket options and purchase for the 2024 season.