Texas A&M senior DB named to the Preseason Bednarik Award Watch List

Texas A&M's loaded 2026 secondary will once again be led by veteran safeties Dalton Brooks and Marcus Ratcliffe, who are nationally considered two of the top defenders with high NFL upside heading into their final season. Brooks, who recorded 62 tackles, 4 sacks, and an interception last season, all career highs, was just named to the Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List.

Going back to his high school playing days, Dalton Brooks is one of the best players to ever come through Shiner, Texas, playing nearly every position, and is similar to former quarterback-turned-safety and now nickelback Bryce Anderson, whose athleticism and football IQ stood out during the recruiting process.

Playing safety is all about athleticism and instincts, requiring sideline-to-sideline coverage skills and open-field tackling to thrive on every down, plus the ability to read the quarterback's eyes pre-snap to get into position to make a play on the ball. Through two seasons as the Aggies' starting free safety, Brooks has continued to improve in coverage, while he needs to be more consistent as a run defender.

Still, Brooks recorded five or more tackles in a game 13 times, including a career-best 12 tackles and a sack during the Aggies' road loss at Texas. Progress is progress, and heading into his senior season, Dalton Brooks possesses all the traits to become a Day 2 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, but before his professional dreams come true, the focus is on the 2026 season.

One of the nation’s best on defense.@king_brooks25 | https://t.co/IGYzDEx55xpic.twitter.com/EUWso8owk3

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This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M senior DB named to the Preseason Bednarik Award Watch List