Iowa football defender named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
The Hawkeyes and defensive coordinator Phil Parker have reason to be fired up about what they bring back up front defensively heading into 2025.
One piece of that defensive interior and his talent has been recognized before the 2025 campaign boots off. Senior defensive lineman Aaron Graves was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list on Tuesday afternoon.
The 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive tackle has already garnered plenty of preseason pub. Graves was also named to the Lott Trophy preseason award watch list, is a preseason first-team All-Big Ten choice and second-team All-American per Phil Steele and a preseason second-team All-Big Ten selection by Athlon Sports.
The Dayton, Iowa, native started all 13 games last season for the Hawkeyes, tallying 33 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles and a pair of quarterback hurries.
In his career, Graves has appeared in 39 games and totaled 85 tackles, 18.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and four pass breakups.
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