Houston defensive back Will James is on the Preseason Bednarik Award watch list, a nod that puts him in the mix for the top defensive player in the country when the season wraps in December.
The recognition matters because the Bednarik isn’t limited to defensive backs. It covers every spot on the defensive side of the ball, which makes James’ inclusion a bigger statement about his all-around value.
James arrives there after a strong season for the Cougars. He made the All-Big 12 Second Team, led Houston with three interceptions and added two forced fumbles. He also landed on the Panini Senior Bowl Top 300 and the Bronko Nagurski Watch List.
His best day came against TCU, when he was named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after posting five tackles, a forced fumble and two interceptions. Earlier in the year, in his second game as a Cougar, he picked off a pass and took it back 37 yards for a touchdown.
The numbers backed up the production, too. James finished with a PFF defensive grade of 77.8 and a 78.1 coverage grade, both of which ranked third on the team.
Now he’s back for another season with Houston, joined again by defensive backs Jordan Allen and Kentrell Webb. That trio gives the Cougars experienced anchors in the secondary.
Houston won 10 of its 13 games last season by controlling the defensive side and staying in front for the full game. The three losses came when the defense couldn’t come up with turnovers.
That matters even more with Texas Tech, Utah and UCF bringing explosive offenses into 2026. In games like those, turnovers can tilt everything, and James has already shown he can make those plays.
He’s also entering his second year in Houston’s system, which means less learning and more sharpening. Defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong already knows what he can do, and fall camp is about cleaning up technique rather than figuring out the scheme.
That familiarity gives Armstrong more ways to use him. James can line up in different spots, and that kind of flexibility opens the door for Houston to disguise coverages and bring pressure without giving anything away.
Few Big 12 teams can match that sort of defensive versatility, and Houston will get its first chance to show it on September 5 against Oregon State at home. That’s where James can keep building his case that he belongs on the watch list.
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