Iowa State’s Domonique Orange and Jontez Williams as well as Iowa’s Aaron Graves have all been named to the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Watch List, which was announced Monday. The Bednarik Award has been presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football since 1995.

Iowa State is one of two Big 12 teams (Texas Tech) with at least two players featured on the watch list. Both Orange and Williams were preseason All-Big 12 selections.

Orange, a defensive lineman finished last season with 24 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss. The two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection notched 14 tackles, 3.5 for loss, the final five games of the season.

Williams, a second team All-Big 12 selection a season ago, anchored the defense as a lockdown cornerback. He allowed only one touchdown and a 19.6 passer rating in 338 coverage snaps in 2024. Williams is the highest-graded returning corner in the Big 12, per PFF.

Williams led the Cyclones and tied for third in the Big 12 with four interceptions to go along with five pass breakups.

In addition to being a Bednarik Award candidate, Graves was previously named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists last month. Graves was also tabbed a 2025 preseason second team All-American by Phil Steele.

Graves (6-foot-5, 295 pounds) started all 13 games at defensive tackle in 2024, recording 33 tackles, including eight tackles for a loss (six sacks), three forced fumbles, three pass break-ups and two pressures.