PHILADELPHIA (September 12, 2023) – Washington State safety Jaden Hicks was named the Bednarik Award Defensive Player of the Week, the Maxwell Football Club announced Tuesday.
 
In the Cougars' upset win over No. 19 Wisconsin last Saturday, Hicks did it all for the defense as he collected nine tackles, seven solo, a tackle for loss, forced a fumble and broke up two passes. Hicks helped the defense hold the Badgers to 90 rushing yards including All-American running back Braelon Allen to 20 rush yards.
 
The redshirt-sophomore from Las Vegas made his biggest play midway through the fourth quarter after Wisconsin had closed a 15-point halftime deficit to two points and started their drive at midfield. One the second play of the drive, Hicks stripped running back Chaz Mellusi, forcing the fumble that was recovered by WSU who proceeded to score on the ensuing possession for the final margin of victory.
 
Hicks earned high praise from Pro Football Focus, tying for the top-ranked defensive grade among power 5 players, tied for the fifth-best grade among all players (90.2) while his run grade was second-best nationally (91.8), he earned the best overall defensive grade in the Pac-12, best run defense grade in the Pac-12, best coverage grade in the Pac-12 and second-best tackling grade in the Pac-12.
 
The Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football. The award was launched in 1995, and it is named in honor of Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik, a two-time Super Bowl champion and the last player in NFL history to play full-time on both sides of the ball (center and linebacker). The Bednarik Award is voted on by NCAA head college football coaches, members of the Maxwell Football Club, and sportswriters and sportscasters from across the country.