TOLEDO, Ohio – Toledo senior defensive back Avery Smith has been selected to the Chuck Bednarik Award preseason watch list, the Maxwell Football Club announced today. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player.
 
Smith, who was one of only four players from the Mid-American Conference to be named to the preseason watch list, was previously named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list, which honors the nation's top cornerback.
 
A Second-Team All-MAC selection a season ago, Smith totaled 58 tackles, 16 passes defended, 14 pass breakups and two interceptions. He had the game-winning pass breakup at Eastern Michigan on the final play in a 29-28 thriller, and tied a career high with eight tackles and broke up a pass in Toledo's six-overtime GameAbove Sports Bowl victory over Pitt. He was second in the FBS in PBUs and second in the MAC in passes defended.
 
Semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 11, while the three finalists for the Maxwell Award will be unveiled Nov. 25. The winners of the 31st Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show held on Dec. 11. The formal presentations of the Chuck Bednarik Award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards on March 13, 2026 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta, Georgia. 
 
The Rockets begin their 2025 season on Aug. 30 at Kentucky, before returning home for the "Biggest Party in Toledo" on Sept. 6 against Western Kentucky.
 
Season and single-game tickets for all games are available now. Fans can purchase or find more information online at UTRockets.com/FBtix, by heading to the Rocket Ticket Office at Savage Arena during business hours, or by calling 419-530-GOLD (4653).