Latest news with #BronkoNagurskiAward
USA Today
31-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Penn State players named to Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy watch lists
College football's award watch list season is in full swing as we inch closer and closer to the start of the new season, and Penn State continues to be represented on some notable watch lists. In addition to the Maxwell Award watch list including three key offensive players, Penn State landed three players on two additional watch lists wiht the release of the Outland Trophy and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch lists. Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant was named to the watch list for both awards. Cornerback A.J. Harris joined Durant on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award for the nation's best defensive player. Durant is joined by Olaivavega Ioane on the Outland Trophy list, honoring the nation's best interior lineman on offense or defense. Penn State has just one Outland Trophy winner in school history. Mike Reid was the Outland Trophy winner in 1969. Kelvin Banks Jr. of Texas was last year's recipient of the Outland Trophy, marking back-to-back winners from Texas with T'Vondre Sweat in 2023. Michigan's Olusegun Oluwatimi is the most recent winner of the award from the Big Ten, winning the award in 2022. Penn State has never had a player win the Bronko Nagurski Award, which has been awarded annually since 1993. Follow Kevin McGuire on Threads, Bluesky, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Follow Nittany Lions Wire on X, Facebook, and Threads
USA Today
30-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Texas A&M senior CB named to the Bronko Nagurski Award watch list
Texas A&M's 2025 secondary will be led by senior cornerback Will Lee III, who announced his return early in the offseason after transferring from Kansas State last year. Regarded as one of the most confident players in the country, his dominant coverage skill set has set him apart in the SEC as one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, Lee is highly underrated nationally, but should thrive next to Georgia transfer corner Julian Humphrey, while the return of senior Tyreek Chappell and transfer Jordan Shaw solidifies depth at the nickel corner spot, which was an issue last season. Standing at 6'3" and 190 pounds, Lee's notable size and speed, paired with his defensive instincts, led to 42 tackles, two interceptions, and ten pass deflections last season. On Tuesday, Lee finally gained national recognition ahead of the 2025 season, as he was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, given to the top defender in the country after every campaign. While it seems like a long shot for Lee, or any cornerback this season, to win the award, his two interceptions last season were likely the bare minimum for a player now adjusted to Mike Elko's defensive scheme, and should be in a better position to reel in more picks. Here is more on the Bronko Nagurski Award's background, thanks to the Texas A&M Athletics website: The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, created in 1993, is awarded to the best defensive player in college football and is presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The award was established to complement the Heisman Trophy Award, which at the time had never been presented to a defensive player. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL draft: Chargers pick EDGE Kyle Kennard with No. 125 overall selection
2025 NFL draft: Chargers pick EDGE Kyle Kennard with No. 125 overall selection The Chargers selected former South Carolina edge defender Kyle Kennard with the No. 125 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Los Angeles entered the draft needing to inject the position room with more juice behind Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu. Kennard, the Georgia Tech transfer, played 54 games over five years and started every game he played for South Carolina in his only season with the Gamecocks. He led the SEC with 11.5 sacks, coming up just shy of Jadeveon Clowney's school single-season sack record (13). Kennard earned the Bronko Nagurski Award in 2024, given to the Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Kennard has the get off, speed rush and range to be a solid designated pass rusher but will need to build upon his consistency with his pass-rush moves and defending the run to become an every-down player.
New York Times
26-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NFL Draft best available players for Baltimore Ravens: Jaydon Blue, kicker prospects
The Ravens started the 2025 draft with defense, taking Georgia safety Malaki Starks in the first then stopping the slide of Marshall edge rusher Mike Green, who likely dropped due to two sexual assault allegations in his past (he denies both), in the second. They finished Day 2 by addressing the O-Line with LSU's Emery Jones Jr., who could be viewed as a potential starting guard or a swing tackle. Baltimore has eight picks to work with on Day 3; these are some of the players who could make sense on Saturday. (Ravens have two picks in the fourth round at Nos. 129 and 136; one pick in the fifth at No. 176; four in the sixth at Nos. 183, 203, 210 and 212; and one pick in the seventh at No. 243) Korie Black, CB, Oklahoma State: A three-year starter, Black had a strong senior season with three interceptions and nine pass breakups. He's a long outside corner and plays with physicality and attitude. Black started 38 games in college and brings special teams value. Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas: Despite being part of a running back-by-committee at Texas, Blue managed 1,098 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024. Due to his explosiveness, receiving ability and special teams experience, he could find his place in a crowded backfield. Andres Borregales, K, Miami: With Justin Tucker's future uncertain, the Ravens have done extensive work on kickers. Brugler ranks Borregales as the top kicker in the draft after a season in which he made 18 of 19 field goal attempts and all 62 of his extra-point tries. Borregales was 7-of-10 from 50-plus yards in his college career. Advertisement Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State: Ravens senior special teams coach and kicking guru Randy Brown led a private workout for Fitzgerald last week. He made all 13 of his field goal attempts last year and was 5-of-5 from 50-plus yards, including a 59-yarder. Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech: While the Ravens don't currently need a tight end, that could change if they deal Mark Andrews this offseason. Hawes, who started his college career at Yale, had 51 catches over four college seasons. He's one of the most physical and technically sound blocking tight ends in the draft, and that appeals to the run-heavy Ravens. Shemar James, ILB, Florida: Per Brugler, James models his game after Ravens 2020 first-round pick Patrick Queen. James was a two-year starter at Florida who plays with speed and energy, but he has to show better play recognition. He had 64 tackles and two sacks last season. Kyle Kennard, DL, South Carolina: He's coming off a season in which he had 11 1/2 sacks and became the first South Carolina player to win the Bronko Nagurski Award as the nation's top defensive player. At 6-foot-4, 254 pounds, Kennard lacks a cohesive pass-rush plan and doesn't stand out as a run defender, but he has a nose for the quarterback. Keandre Lambert-Smith, WR, Auburn: The Penn State transfer developed into a major big-play threat in his final college season, finishing second in the SEC in receiving yards per game (81.8) and top-10 nationally in yards per catch (19.6). He's a deep threat, which is a piece the Ravens could use. Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech: At 5-foot-10, 191 pounds, Lane projects as a slot receiver at the next level. It's his return skills that should intrigue the Ravens. He averaged 10.9 yards per punt return and 21.8 yards per kickoff return to go along with two return scores in college. Rayuan Lane III, S, Navy: A four-year starter at Navy, Lane III established himself as a ball hawk and one of the country's top special teams players. Lane, who grew up in Baltimore and attended the Ravens' local pro day, had six interceptions and five forced fumbles over his final two college seasons. Smael Mondon Jr., ILB, Georgia: He's one of the best athletes in the draft. A three-year starter at Georgia, Mondon plays with physicality and explosiveness — durability questions likely pushed him to Day 3. Mondon was one of the Ravens' top-30 visits. Jaylen Reed, S, Penn State: Reed was a defensive enforcer for the Nittany Lions, leading the team in tackles (98) and tying for the team lead in interceptions (three). The 6-foot, 211-pound safety loves getting downhill and trying to land big hits on the ball carrier. He does have some lapses in discipline. Advertisement Elijah Simmons, DT, Tennessee: A projected NFL nose tackle, Elijah Simmons ultimately could replace the retired Michael Pierce and play behind Travis Jones. Simmons didn't play many snaps at Tennessee, and his production has never really matched his ability, but he has upside as an early-down run stuffer. Jackson Slater, G/C, Sacramento State: Slater is a natural guard, but he took reps at all five positions during the Senior Bowl. He has the versatility and size (6-foot-3, 311 pounds) to be a potential NFL starter. Carson Vinson, OT, Alabama A&M: One of the top non-FBS prospects in the draft, Vinson was a five-year starter at Alabama A&M. At 6-foot-7, 314 pounds, he possesses strong physical traits and plays with good balance and power. (Photo of Jaydon Blue: Tim Warner / Getty Images)
USA Today
26-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Social media reacts to Notre Dame S Xavier Watts drafted by the Atlanta Falcons
Social media reacts to Notre Dame S Xavier Watts drafted by the Atlanta Falcons It wasn't what many expected, but Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the No. 96 overall pick of the NFL drafts third round. The former wide receiver made the transition look smooth, as a junior he won the Bronko Nagurski Award, and was named a unanimous All-American. Watts senior year wasn't quite as successful as the year before, but he was still a consensus All-American. He finishes his Fighting Irish career playing in 55 games, with 188 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 13 interceptions with one returned for a score and 18 passes defended. Social media reacted to the selection of Watts by the Falcons, and as you'll see his coach Marcus Freeman's thoughts is exactly the same sentiment from me. Xavier Watts becomes an Atlanta Falcon What a moment for Watts, to hear his named getting called in the NFL draft. We know that it wasn't where he wanted to be selected, but he'll use it as motivation and get to work with the Falcons. What led up to Xavier Watts getting drafted Anytime a trade is made to move up and a team picks you, it's a sign that they didn't want to miss out. That's exactly what happened with Watts, as the Falcons traded a pick later in the third and a fifth next year to move up and take the Irish star safety. Head coach Marcus Freeman It was a late night for coach Freeman, but well worth staying up to see Watts getting drafted. As he said in his post-spring press conference, players go through plenty of delayed gratification. That was exactly the case tonight. ESPN's Field Yates We saw plenty of that over the last two years, and Yates really likes the move the Falcons made with drafting Watts. It was very surprising to see him last this late into the draft, but Atlanta will be very happy with the former Notre Dame star. Atlanta GM Terry Fontenot on why Watts The Falcons believed that there was going to be a run on safeties and Watts was high on their draft board. Fontenot was very complimentary about his newest Falcon, calling him a 'stud.' They decided to be aggressive and went to get Watts. We love Watts too You got to love when the local media is excited about a pick, in this case being Watts. We love him as well, as we saw him dominate the secondary over the last two seasons. Xavier Watts reaction to getting selected It probably wasn't something that Watts could see when transitioning from a wide receiver to a safety, but it all worked out in the end. You can see his relief that the process is over and he knows where his next football home is. Congrats Xavier!
