Sophomore inside linebacker Luke Metz continues to excel in the biggest moments for Alabama's defense.
After playing 23 snaps his freshman season, Metz competed over the summer to earn a starting role in his second year in Tuscaloosa. The Hoschton, Georgia, native first gained attention after his pick-six against Kentucky—a play that kept a struggling Alabama team alive on the road in Lexington.
Since then, Metz hasn't looked back. Through nine games, he has stepped seamlessly into 2025 captain Deontae Lawson's role, totaling 68 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions while bringing a different edge to Kane Wommack's swarm defense.
His recent performance against LSU, highlighted by an interception and big hits on LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt, has landed him on the Bednarik Award Watch List.
The Bednarik Award is presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the best defensive player of the year. Former Alabama players Jonathan Allen, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Will Anderson Jr. have previously won the award.
The winner of the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on Dec. 10, 2026, during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show.
If Metz continues to make game-changing plays, he very much could remain in the hunt for the prestigious award and possibly become the fourth player in Alabama program history to win it.
Metz and the Crimson Tide look to build upon their momentum this weekend on the road against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Kickoff is set for 11:45 a.m. CT on ESPN.