University of North Carolina Athletics
November 10, 2026 | Football
PHILADELPHIA – North Carolina defensive tackle Xavier Lewis has been named one of 18 semifinalists for the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday. The award is presented annually to the nation's most outstanding defensive player.
Lewis, a sophomore from Rolesville, N.C., is the first Tar Heel semifinalist for the award since 2001 when Julius Peppers won the Bednarik Award. He is the only representative from a North Carolina school and one of three ACC players on the list.
Lewis has tallied 43 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and seven sacks this season. His 0.78 sacks per game mark is tied for 15th nationally, while his 1.11 tackles for loss per game is 27th in the nation.Â
He turned in one of his best performances of the season in Carolina's 21-17 road victory over No. 25 Pitt on Oct. 10, recording a career-high 11 tackles and adding half a sack.Â
The sophomore earned multiple midseason honors, including First Team Associated Press Midseason All-America, The Sporting News Midseason All-America and was a Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List selection.Â
Lewis has also been named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice this season.
The Chuck Bednarik Award, now in its 32nd year, is named in honor of former University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Eagles standout Chuck Bednarik. Semifinalists are selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee.
Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.
The winner of the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on Dec. 11 as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards.
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Lewis, a sophomore from Rolesville, N.C., is the first Tar Heel semifinalist for the award since 2001 when Julius Peppers won the Bednarik Award. He is the only representative from a North Carolina school and one of three ACC players on the list.
Lewis has tallied 43 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss and seven sacks this season. His 0.78 sacks per game mark is tied for 15th nationally, while his 1.11 tackles for loss per game is 27th in the nation.Â
He turned in one of his best performances of the season in Carolina's 21-17 road victory over No. 25 Pitt on Oct. 10, recording a career-high 11 tackles and adding half a sack.Â
The sophomore earned multiple midseason honors, including First Team Associated Press Midseason All-America, The Sporting News Midseason All-America and was a Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List selection.Â
Lewis has also been named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice this season.
The Chuck Bednarik Award, now in its 32nd year, is named in honor of former University of Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Eagles standout Chuck Bednarik. Semifinalists are selected by the Maxwell Football Club National Selection Committee.
Eligible voters include Maxwell Football Club members, NCAA head football coaches, sports information directors and selected national media.
The winner of the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on Dec. 11 as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards.
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Players Mentioned
Defensive Line
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