Florida State cornerback Ja'Bril Rawls has been recognized among the nation’s elite defensive players after being named to the Chuck Bednarik Award watch list, an honor bestowed by the Maxwell Football Club each year to the most outstanding defender in college football.
A Defensive Resurgence in Tallahassee
In the 2025 season Rawls recorded 40 tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery, numbers that helped the Seminoles tighten a unit that had ranked 28th in pass defense the previous year, climbing from a lowly 86th position under coordinator Tony White.
White’s scheme has already produced a noticeable shift, with the team’s yardage allowed dropping dramatically and the defense gaining confidence after a season that saw the program slip to 28th in total defense.
Rawls’ journey to this point has included a brief stint in the transfer portal in December, but the cornerback chose to return to Tallahassee, citing a desire to finish his collegiate career where he could make the biggest impact.
Former Dallas Cowboys scout Drew Fabianich has publicly praised Rawls, asserting that the player’s blend of size, speed and ball‑hawking instincts warrants a first‑round draft projection despite still having two years of eligibility remaining.
Looking ahead to 2026, Rawls is slated to start again at cornerback, a role that could prove pivotal as Florida State aims to break a three‑year bowl‑game drought and re‑establish itself among the ACC’s defensive powerhouses.