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Aaron Graves has been named to the Bednarik Award watch list

The senior defensive end continues to rack up preseason award nominations
ByJordan Underwood|
Oct 29, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Aaron Graves (95) and linebacker Jack Campbell (31) and Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Malik Washington (6) in action during the game at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Oct 29, 2022; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Aaron Graves (95) and linebacker Jack Campbell (31) and Northwestern Wildcats wide receiver Malik Washington (6) in action during the game at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images | Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

The Iowa defense has always been a staple of the program, especially under defensive coordinator Phil Parker.

Parker is the longest tenured coordinator in the nation and has been with the Hawkeyes since Head Coach Kirk Ferentz took over the program in 1999. He has been the defensive coordinator since 2012.

A staple of the Iowa defensive scheme is taking a group of players and getting them to buy into the Iowa culture where no one player is above the rest.

The idea of the sum being greater than the parts was highlighted by the Big Ten Network when they previewed the Iowa program during their training camp tour.

The BTN crew highlighted how important Parker is to the Iowa program and how he gets players to buy into the system every year.

A key player in the success of the Iowa defense over the past few years has been defensive lineman Aaron Graves.

There were rumors that Graves was going to bolt to the NFL following last season, but decided to return to Iowa City for one last go at it.

Ahead of the 2025 season, Graves has racked up multiple preseason award nominations and awards, including for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and the Nagurski Trophy, and was also named preseason Second Team All-American and First Team All-Big Ten selections by Phil Steele.

As the award nominations pile up, Graves was added to another preseason award watch list.

It was announced that Graves has been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the best defensive player in college football.

The Bednarik Award is named after Chuck Bednarik, a three-time All-American for the University of Pennsylvania.

Graves had a productive season for the Iowa defense last season, starting all 13 games at defensive tackle. During the 2024-2025 season, Graves tallied 33 total tackles, including eight tackles for loss, and six sacks. He also added three forced fumbles and three pass breakups.

Graves' three forced fumbles led the Big Ten Conference last season.

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