The Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List is the fourth preseason award watch list that Thieneman is on. The Boilermaker is also on the watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Jim Thorpe Award and the Lott IMPACT Trophy. Several media outlets have also named Thieneman a Preseason All-American (Walter Camp, Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, Pick Six Previews).
The Bednarik Award has been given to the college defensive player of the year since 1994 and is named after Chuck “Concrete Charlie” Bednarik, who was an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania and later an All-Pro linebacker and center for the Philadelphia Eagles for several years. He is a member of the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame and was the last NFL player to play both offense and defense full-time.
Thieneman had a standout freshman season in 2023. Considered one of the best players in the country regardless of class, Thieneman was named Third Team All-America by The Associated Press, becoming the 50th All-American in program history. He was Purdue’s first All-America defensive back since Steve Jackson in 1990 (Gannett News Service), as well as the first AP All-America Boilermaker since College Football Hall of Famer Rod Woodson (1986).
In his first season in the Old Gold and Black, Thieneman was named FWAA Defensive Freshman Player of the Year and 247Sports True Freshman of the Year. He finished his 2023 season ranked third nationally in interceptions (6) and solo tackles (74), leading all freshman players and setting new Purdue records for freshman players. His six interceptions were double the next freshman players, while his 74 solo tackles ranked first among all Big Ten defenders.
The 2023 Thompson-Randle El Big Ten Freshman of the Year was also the nation’s top freshman in tackles (106) and forced fumbles (2). Thieneman was the seventh Boilermaker to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year (Brian Fox – 1988, Eric Hunter – 1989, Corey Rogers – 1991, Stuart Schweigert – 2000, Rondale Moore – 2018, David Bell – 2019), including the third Purdue player in the last six seasons. He was the conference’s 11th defensive player to win the award and the fifth defensive back joining fellow Boilermaker Stuart Schweigert (2000), Charles Woodson (Michigan – 1995), Jabrill Peppers (Michigan – 2015) and Brandon Joseph (Northwestern – 2020).
Thieneman finished the 2023 season strong, throwing two interceptions to help Purdue beat Indiana and capture the Old Oaken Bucket. The two interceptions brought his total to six this season, surpassing Schweigert’s freshman record of five in a single season. In addition to his two interceptions, Thieneman recorded eight tackles, the most on the team, leading the Purdue defense in stopping the Hoosiers. All of his tackles were solo, breaking Rod Woodson’s Purdue freshman record of 67 solo tackles in a single season. Thieneman was Purdue’s leading tackler in eight different games, reaching double figures four times.
A year ago, Thieneman was the only Big Ten freshman among defensive linemen to make one of the three all-league teams, earning All-B1G second-team selections by the coaches and third-team honors by the media. He was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week five times during the 2023 season, making him the first defensive lineman in conference history to win a weekly award five times in a single season. The Purdue defensive back joined a list of only seven other Big Ten players (six quarterbacks, one running back) to win at least five weekly awards in a single season and became the first Boilermaker to win a conference weekly award five times. Drew Brees (Offense – 2000), Travis Dorsch (Special Teams – 2001), Kyle Orton (Offense – 2004), Rondale Moore (Freshman – 2018) and David Bell (Freshman – 2019) collected four weekly Big Ten honors in one season, matching Purdue’s previous record.
The semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced on November 12, while the award’s three finalists will be revealed on November 26. The winners of the 30th Chuck Bednarik Award will be announced during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 12.
Thieneman and the Boilermakers will begin the 2024 season at home against Indiana State (Aug. 31). Kickoff at Ross-Ade Stadium is scheduled for noon ET on BTN.
Thieneman Preseason Honors
Preseason All-America Second Team (Walter Camp, Phil Steele, Athlon Sports, Pick Six Preview)
Preseason All-Big Ten First Team (Phil Steele, Athlon Sports)
Chuck Bednarik Award Watchlist
Watchlist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Jim Thorpe Award Watchlist
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watchlist
