Nagurski Watch List announced

DALLAS – The 2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List features the nation’s best defensive players and includes 87 contenders on the initial watch list. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the nation’s best defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Every FBS conference and Notre Dame are represented on the list that includes linemen, linebackers and defensive backs. Players may be added or deleted from the watch list during the season.

For the 11th consecutive season, the FWAA will choose a National Defensive Player of the Week. If that player is not on the watch list, he automatically will be added. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 17.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner is chosen from five finalists who are part of the FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects the 25-man team and eventually the Bronko Nagurski finalists. Committee members choose by individual ballot to select the winner, who is considered the best defensive player in America.

The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be on Dec. 12 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. Along with the 2011 winner being announced, the banquet will also celebrate the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award. Florida’s Jack Youngblood, an end from the FWAA’s 1970 All-American team, will be honored. Georgia head coach Mark Richt will be the keynote speaker at the banquet.