{"id":1893,"date":"2018-09-06T16:44:47","date_gmt":"2018-09-06T16:44:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/?p=1893"},"modified":"2018-09-06T16:44:47","modified_gmt":"2018-09-06T16:44:47","slug":"2018-bronko-nagurski-trophy-preseason-watch-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/2018-bronko-nagurski-trophy-preseason-watch-list\/","title":{"rendered":"2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1895 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Bronko_nagurski-231x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Bronko_nagurski-231x300.jpg 231w, https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/Bronko_nagurski.jpg 250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 231px) 100vw, 231px\" \/> <\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The Football Writers Association of America released its 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, selecting 97 defensive standouts from 61 schools in all 10 Division I FBS conferences on a roster that includes three returning players from last season&#8217;s FWAA All-America team.<\/p>\n<p>Bronko Nagurski Trophy Ed Oliver, a junior tackle from the University of Houston and a Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist a year ago, joins senior Clemson end Austin Bryant and junior end Sutton Smith of Northern Illinois as returning selections from the 2017 FWAA All-America first team.<\/p>\n<p>Oliver, the 2017 Outland Trophy winner as the nation&#8217;s best interior lineman, is a two-time FWAA All-American after earning second-team mention in 2016. This year&#8217;s watch list for the nation&#8217;s top defensive player also includes LSU linebacker Devin White and Clemson end Clelin Ferrell, both second-team FWAA All-America selections a year ago, as well as Clemson tackle Christian Wilkins, a 2016 FWAA All-America first team member.<\/p>\n<h3><em>Frank Coyle is a longtime member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy,\u00a0 Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred\u00a0<\/em><strong><em>Biletnikoff\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>\u00a0and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.<\/em><\/h3>\n<p>Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. As in previous years, the FWAA will announce a National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week&#8217;s honored player will be added at that time. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 14.<\/p>\n<p>The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those five finalists. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association&#8217;s full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.<\/p>\n<p>This year&#8217;s watch list includes at least four players from each of the 10 FBS conferences. The SEC (16) leads the 97-member list with the Big Ten (15) right behind. The ACC (13) and Pac-12 (12) also have double-digit representation, followed by the Big 12 (9), American Athletic and Mountain West (7), Conference USA and Independents (5), and the Mid-American and Sun Belt (4).<\/p>\n<p>The list includes 27 backs, 26 linebackers, 24 ends and 20 tackles.<\/p>\n<p>Frank Coyle is a voter in Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List (97)<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>LB Dakota Allen, Texas Tech<br \/>\nDB Tyler Horton, Boise State<br \/>\nDE Zach Allen, Boston College<br \/>\nLB Khaleke Hudson, Michigan<br \/>\nLB Azeez Al-Shaair, Florida Atlantic<br \/>\nDB Michael Jackson, Miami<br \/>\nDB Dravon Askew-Henry, West Virginia<br \/>\nDE Cece Jefferson, Florida<br \/>\nLB Joe Bachie, Michigan State<br \/>\nDE Jalen Jelks, Oregon<br \/>\nDE Ben Banogu, TCU<br \/>\nDB Jaquan Johnson, Miami<br \/>\nDT Terry Beckner Jr., Missouri<br \/>\nDT Dre&#8217;Mont Jones, Ohio State<br \/>\nDT Ryan Bee, Marshall<br \/>\nDE Corbin Kaufusi, BYU<br \/>\nDB Julian Blackmon, Utah<br \/>\nLB Jordan Kunaszyk, California<br \/>\nDE Nick Bosa, Ohio State<br \/>\nDT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson<br \/>\nDB Kris Boyd, Texas<br \/>\nDE Jonathan Ledbetter, Georgia<br \/>\nDT Derrick Brown, Auburn<br \/>\nDT Ira Lewis, Baylor<br \/>\nDB Blace Brown, Troy<br \/>\nDB Shelton Lewis, Florida Atlantic<br \/>\nDE Austin Bryant, Clemson<br \/>\nDT Ray Lima, Iowa State<br \/>\nLB Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington<br \/>\nLB David Long Jr., West Virginia<br \/>\nLB Devin Bush, Michigan<br \/>\nDB Julian Love, Notre Dame<br \/>\nDB T.J. Carter, Memphis<br \/>\nDB Chase Lucas, Arizona State<br \/>\nDB Justin Clifton, Arkansas State<br \/>\nDT David Moa, Boise State<br \/>\nLB Te&#8217;von Coney, Notre Dame<br \/>\nLB James Nachtigal, Army West Point<br \/>\nDT Marquise Copeland, Cincinnati<br \/>\nDE Anthony Nelson, Iowa<br \/>\nDE Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan<br \/>\nDT Ed Oliver, Houston<br \/>\nDE Marlon Davidson, Auburn<br \/>\nDB Amani Oruwariye, Penn State<br \/>\nDE Raekwon Davis, Alabama<br \/>\nLB Shaquille Quarterman, Miami<br \/>\nDB Lukas Denis, Boston College<br \/>\nDB Delvon Randall, Temple<br \/>\nDB D\u2019Cota Dixon, Wisconsin<br \/>\nDB Taylor Rapp, Washington<br \/>\nLB Tyrel Dodson, Texas A&amp;M<br \/>\nDE Christian Rector, USC<br \/>\nDE Landis Durham, Texas A&amp;M<br \/>\nLB Malik Reed, Nevada<br \/>\nLB Troy Dye, Oregon<br \/>\nLB David Reese, Florida<br \/>\nLB Cooper Edmiston, Tulsa<br \/>\nDE Hunter Reese, Troy<br \/>\nDB Mike Edwards, Kentucky<br \/>\nDT Olive Sagapolu, Wisconsin<br \/>\nLB T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin<br \/>\nDT Jordon Scott, Oregon<br \/>\nDE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech<br \/>\nDB Duke Shelley, Kansas State<br \/>\nDE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson<br \/>\nDT Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State<br \/>\nLB Paddy Fisher, Northwestern<br \/>\nLB Cameron Smith, USC<br \/>\nDT Greg Gaines, Washington<br \/>\nDE Sutton Smith, NIU<br \/>\nDE Rashan Gary, Michigan<br \/>\nDE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State<br \/>\nDE Joe Gaziano, Northwestern<br \/>\nLB Jahlani Tavai, Hawaii<br \/>\nDT Youhanna Ghaifan, Wyoming<br \/>\nDB Marvell Tell III, USC<br \/>\nDB Kyle Gibson, UCF<br \/>\nDB Juan Thornhill, Virginia<br \/>\nDB Mark Gilbert, Duke<br \/>\nDT Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame<br \/>\nLB Ulysees Gilbert III, Akron<br \/>\nDT Ricky Walker, Virginia Tech<br \/>\nLB Joe Giles-Harris, Duke<br \/>\nLB Devin White, LSU<br \/>\nDE Carl Granderson, Wyoming<br \/>\nDT Christian Wilkins, Clemson<br \/>\nLB Terez Hall, Missouri<br \/>\nDB Greedy Williams, LSU<br \/>\nLB De\u2019Jon Harris, Arkansas<br \/>\nDB Andrew Wingard, Wyoming<br \/>\nDB Tae Hayes, Appalachian State<br \/>\nDE Chase Winovich, Michigan<br \/>\nDB Lavert Hill, Michigan<br \/>\nDT Daniel Wise, Kansas<br \/>\nDT Trysten Hill, UCF<br \/>\nDE Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion<br \/>\nLB Khalil Hodge, Buffalo<\/p>\n<p><strong>By conference: SEC 16, Big Ten 15, ACC 13, Pac-12 12, Big 12 9, American Athletic 7, Mountain West 7, Conference USA 5, Independents 5, Mid-American 4, Sun Belt 4.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>By position: Backs 27, Linebackers 26, Ends 24, Tackles 20.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Players may be added or removed from the list before or during the season<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet, presented by ACN, will be held on Dec. 3 at the Charlotte Convention Center. In addition to the 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner&#8217;s announcement, the banquet will also celebrate the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award. Ohio State linebacker Tom Cousineau, a member of the FWAA&#8217;s 1977 All-America team and a College Football Hall of Famer, will be honored. Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will be the keynote speaker at the banquet.<\/p>\n<p>The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football&#8217;s Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw \u201cBronko\u201d Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.<\/p>\n<p>The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 24 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the NCFAA.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"pdfprnt-buttons pdfprnt-buttons-post pdfprnt-bottom-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893?print=print\" class=\"pdfprnt-button pdfprnt-button-print\" target=\"_blank\" ><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/pdf-print\/images\/print.png\" alt=\"image_print\" title=\"Print Content\" \/><span class=\"pdfprnt-button-title pdfprnt-button-print-title\">Printer Friendly<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List The Football Writers Association of America released its 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, selecting 97 defensive standouts from 61 schools in all 10 Division I <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/2018-bronko-nagurski-trophy-preseason-watch-list\/\" title=\"2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List\">  [read more&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1895,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,5,22],"tags":[32],"class_list":{"0":"post-1893","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-college-award-lists","8":"category-college-news","9":"category-nfl-draft-prospects","10":"tag-draft-insider-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1893"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1896,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1893\/revisions\/1896"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1895"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1893"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1893"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/draftinsiders.com\/DraftInsiders\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}