TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama’s Tim Keenan III and Deontae Lawson were named to the 2025 Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List, the Maxwell Football Club announced Monday.

The pair of Crimson Tide defenders join a total of 87 players from around the country selected to the preseason list. Established in 1995, the Chuck Bednarik Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football. The award is named in tribute to Chuck Bednarik, a revered figure in football history known for his remarkable career as a linebacker.

Alabama has produced three Bednarik winners in program history, with Jonathan Allen taking home the hardware in 2016 followed by Minkah Fitzpatrick a year later in 2017. Will Anderson Jr. represents UA’s most recent recipient, claiming the award in 2022.

Tim Keenan III

Defensive Line, Redshirt Senior

• An experienced leader in the middle of the Alabama defensive line
• Played in all 13 games a season ago, including 12 starts
• Recorded 40 tackles, including 7.5 for loss (-26 yards) and 2.5 sacks (-16 yards), to go with two quarterback pressures and one pass breakup
• Received a 90.1 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus in 2024, the sixth-best mark among all interior defenders
• Rated as one of the top returning defensive lineman by PFF for the 2025 season

Deontae Lawson

Linebacker, Redshirt Senior

• A permanent team captain and the leader of the Crimson Tide defense
• Made 11 starts for the Tide in 2024 prior to a season-ending injury
• Recorded 76 tackles, including 6.5 for loss (-30 yards) and two sacks (-21 yards)
• Added four pass breakups, an interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery to his stat line prior to his injury