2025 Bednarik Award Odds: Favorites & Betting Lines for Best Defensive Player

By Christopher Boan Oct 9th, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

USA Today

Tap for Promo Visit site

Bet $10, Get $150 If You Win
Promo Code: BOOKIESBG150

Used 54 Times Today

•

Popular in New Jersey

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

A year after Colorado’s Travis Hunter took the honor for the nation’s top defensive collegiate player, it’s up in the air who will be the heir in 2025.

A host of players are doing their fair share to deserve this year’s Bednarik Award. With that in mind, Bookies.com broke down hypothetical odds on which college football player has the best shot at succeeding Hunter as the Bednarik Award winner in 2025. These odds are exclusive to Bookies.com, but college football betting sites have plenty of other wagers to consider all season.

2025 Bednarik Award Odds

Bookies.com breaks down CFB futures betting odds and reveals value picks on the next Bednarik winner.

Tap for Promo Visit site

New Customers: Bet $5+, Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!

Used 30 Times Today

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/WY). Void in ONT/OR/NH. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino & Resort (KS). Fees may apply in IL. 1 per new customer. Must register new account to receive reward Token. Must select Token BEFORE placing min. $5 bet to receive $200 in Bonus Bets if your bet wins. Min. -500 odds req. Token and Bonus Bets are single-use and non-withdrawable. Token expires 10/19/25. Bonus Bets expire in 7 days (168 hours). Stake removed from payout. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 10/12/25 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.
Hope is here. Call (800) 327-5050 or http://gamblinghelplinema.org
Play it smart from the start! Live Chat @ http://GameSenseMA.com

Which CFB Player Will Win The 2025 Bednarik Award?

Through six weeks of the college football season, we have a new odds-on favorite to win this year’s installment of the Bednarik Award.

Reuben Bain Jr (Miami defensive lineman), +650

Miami DE Reuben Bain Jr. has compiled 26 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and an interception in five games played for the 5-0 Hurricanes this year.

In our initial odds from mid September, Bain was +1500 to win the annual college football honor, which is derived from voting by members of the Maxwell Football Club. At bet365 Sportsbook, Miami has +800 odds to win the national title this season, fourth on the operator’s board behind Ohio State (+425), Oregon (+500) and Alabama (+700).

Tap for Promo Visit site

Bet $10, Get $150 If You Win
Promo Code: BOOKIESBG150

Used 54 Times Today

•

Popular in New Jersey

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US) Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR) 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. This promotional offer is not available in DC, Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

Other Top Bednarik Award Contenders

Texas Tech senior linebacker and Stanford transfer David Bailey holds +800 odds of winning this year’s award, second on our board. Bailey has 11 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks for the undefeated Red Raiders.

The there’s DL Clev Lubin of Louisville, who enters Week 7 at +900 on our board after making 26 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks in five games with the Cardinals after transferring in from Coastal Carolina.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, who topped our board a few weeks ago, is still a contender at +1100 odds, alongside LB Jacob Rodriguez of the Red Raiders. Utah DE John Henry Daley (+1250), LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and Texas S Michael Taaffe (+1500 each) are next in line.

Of the latter lot of Bednarik Award hopefuls, Downs has 19 tackles, 2 tackles for loss and an interception as a junior for the undefeated Buckeyes, who are the favorites at DraftKings Sportsbook to win the Big Ten at +120 odds.

Rodriguez has paced Texas Tech’s defense to the tune of 33 tackles, 4 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions. Daley has 25 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in five games for the Utes in 2025. Delane has 20 tackles and an interception, along with 4 pass deflections, for the Tigers. Taaffe has 32 tackles and a pick for the Longhorns.

Also keep an eye on Miami DL Akheem Mesidor and CB Leonard Moore of Notre Dame, who have matching +2000 Bednarik Award odds, plus Georgia LB CJ Allen and Texas A&M DE Cashius Howell, each at +3000.

Mesidor has 23 tackles, 5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks for the Hurricanes. Moore’s sophomore year in South Bend has seen him rack up 9 tackles, 3 interceptions and 2 pass deflections this season. Allen’s junior year in Athens might be his strongest yet, with 36 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and pass deflections and a forced fumble to date. Howell’s fifth NCAA campaign (and second in College Station) has seen him make 13 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, 7 sacks and 2 pass deflections for the Aggies.

Also of interest: John Mackey Award Odds.

Comments

Sign In | Sign Up

Post

View more