Mississippi State linebacker Issac Smith was named to the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watchlist by the Maxwell Football Club on Monday. The annual award recognizes the most outstanding defensive player in college football, an honor Smith will have ample opportunity to earn in 2025.
Smith is making a move positionally to play more as a linebacker, but has continued taking reps as a defensive back as well. His versatility and close-down skills are well known by the coaching staff and fans alike, as is his role as a communicator and captain on defense.
“He is everything that you love about the game of football,” head coach Jeff Lebby said of Smith at the start of fall camp. “His toughness, his physicality, his leadership, his passion to be a great player. I love how much he loves Mississippi State, and I can’t say enough great things about him. To me, there’s just not a better spokesperson for our defense or our team.”
Smith led both Mississippi State and the Southeastern Conference in tackles last season while playing primarily at safety. In 11 games for the Bulldogs, he recorded 127 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, three pass break-ups and a fumble recovery, earning him a spot on the All-SEC Second Team.
Smith was a preseason pick by SEC media for the All-SEC Third Team as a defensive back, though coaches and Smith himself have confirmed that his role this year will be a fluid one. He stood out on a poor defense because of his contributions to stopping the run, and in doing so, showcased his vision and ability to read and react to a play as it unfolded.
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