Florida Gators jack Jayden Woods (0) waits for the snap against the Campbell Fighting Camels during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. [Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images]

Florida Football’s Jayden Woods Gains National Award Recognition

Florida sophomore Jayden Woods was named the Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week for Week 3 after the 44-39 showing at Auburn on Saturday.

Woods, who plays the Jack (defensive end) position on the Gators’ defense, co-led the team with six tackles (five solo), 3.5 tackles for loss and a career-high 2.5 sacks against Auburn while also registering one QB hurry.

The annual Chuck Bednarik award is presented to the most outstanding defensive college football player. The award, created by the Maxwell Football Club in 1995, honors the legacy of triple All-American Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik, a standout player at the University of Pennsylvania and NFL Hall of Famer.

In August, the 2026 Chuck Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List did not include Woods after a stacked freshman season. He was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team, recording 28 tackles, five tackles for loss, an interception and 3.5 sacks.

With a quarter of the season done, he is showing why he belongs in the conversation.

In Florida’s season opener, Woods tallied four tackles, three of which were solo. Against Campbell, Woods recorded five tackles (two solo), 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.

Woods has put up 15 tackles on the season, second under UF inside linebacker Myles Graham’s 20.

With three sacks, nearly matching his 2025 total, Woods is raising Florida’s pass rush and overall level of the defense.

A strong performance against No. 4 Ole Miss on Saturday could position Woods as a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, which will be announced in November.

Category: College Football, Football, Gator Sports, Gators Football, SEC