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Tennessee defensive lineman named to Bednarik Award watch list
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- Tennessee defensive lineman named to Bednarik Award watch list
Tennessee junior defensive lineman Xavier Gilliam was named to the Chuck Bednarik watch list.
He is one of five players added to the list, announced by the Maxwell Football Club. The Bednarik Award is presented annually to best defensive player in college football.
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Gilliam is part of Tennessee's defense that ranks among the nation's best in multiple categories, including a FBS-leading 35 sacks. Through eight games in 2026, he ranks third in the SEC and is tied for seventh nationally with 11.5 tackles for a loss. Gilliam also ranks fifth in the SEC and is tied for 13th nationally with six sacks.
His 87.9 overall defensive ranking by PFF is seventh best among all interior defensive linemen in the FBS, while his 28 total pressures lead the SEC and are tied for fourth nationally among interior defensive linemen.
Gilliam and teammates Ty Redmond and Amare Campbell were named to the Bednarik Watch List prior to the season.
DeSean Bishop (18) and J
esse Perry (72). Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harrlason/Vols Wire)
George MacIntyre. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Donovan Haslam. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
DeSean Bishop. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
George MacIntyre. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
DeSean Bishop. nnessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
David Sanders Jr. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
George MacIntyre. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Tennessee Volunteers versus Texas Longhorns at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Daevin Hobbs. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Sam Pendleton. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Daune Morris. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Arion Carter. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Nic Moore. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Xavier Gilliam. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
DeSean Bishop (18) and J
esse Perry (72). Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harrlason/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
DeSean Bishop (18) and J
esse Perry (72). Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harrlason/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
George MacIntyre. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Donovan Haslam. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
DeSean Bishop. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
George MacIntyre. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: 2026 Tennessee football versus Auburn at Neyland Stadium
DeSean Bishop. nnessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
David Sanders Jr. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
George MacIntyre. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Tennessee Volunteers versus Texas Longhorns at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 26, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Faizon Brandon. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Daevin Hobbs. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Sam Pendleton. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Daune Morris. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Arion Carter. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Nic Moore. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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Xavier Gilliam ranked top 10 on 2027 NFL draft big board
Xavier Gilliam. Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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PHOTOS: Tennessee Neyland Legacy Smokey Grey football uniforms
Tennessee Volunteers football versus the Auburn Tigers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
(Dan Harralson/Vols Wire)
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee defensive lineman named to Bednarik Award watch list
