Latest news with #Co-DefensivePlayeroftheWeek
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Longhorns trio named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
During the 2024 campaign, defense was a strength for the Texas Longhorns. That is expected to continue this upcoming season due to a talented core that includes Colin Simmons, Michael Taaffe, and Anthony Hill Jr. On Tuesday, the trio earned national recognition when they were named to the Bronko Nagurski preseason watch list. For Hill, this is familiar territory. The Longhorns' star EDGE was also named to the preseason watch list last year. He showed why during the regular season, leading the team in total tackles with 103 and forced fumbles with four. Due to his play, the Kansas native added to his trophy case. That included SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week accolades on Oct.14th and Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors on Oct.15th. For Simmons, this is the first time his name has been connected to the Bronco Nagurski award. He is coming off a stellar freshman season in which he led the Longhorns in sacks with nine. He finished second on the team in quarterback hurries with nine and forced fumbles with three. The Texas native made history as he became the first Longhorn to win the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year award. Rounding out the list is Taaffe, who has become one of the best defensive backs in the nation. The former walk-on started every game last season, finishing with 78 total tackles. He also made life difficult for quarterbacks with 10 pass deflections. Over the last few years, he has become a staple in Steve Sarkisian's defense and turned himself into a legitimate NFL prospect. While the Longhorns trio has made headlines with their play, they do face the competition. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player, and rankings will change over the next few months. Luckily for Texas, they have a good track record with this honor. Last year, Jahdae Barron was one of four finalists. In 2014, former Longhorns star Malcom Brown was a finalist, and in 2008, Brian Orakpo took home the honors. Regardless of how the award plays out, the Longhorns' talented trio is poised to do big things and build on what have already been unforgettable college careers. This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list includes three Texas Longhorns
USA Today
30-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Longhorns trio named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
During the 2024 campaign, defense was a strength for the Texas Longhorns. That is expected to continue this upcoming season due to a talented core that includes Colin Simmons, Michael Taaffe, and Anthony Hill Jr. On Tuesday, the trio earned national recognition when they were named to the Bronko Nagurski preseason watch list. For Hill, this is familiar territory. The Longhorns' star EDGE was also named to the preseason watch list last year. He showed why during the regular season, leading the team in total tackles with 103 and forced fumbles with four. Due to his play, the Kansas native added to his trophy case. That included SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week accolades on Oct.14th and Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week honors on Oct.15th. For Simmons, this is the first time his name has been connected to the Bronco Nagurski award. He is coming off a stellar freshman season in which he led the Longhorns in sacks with nine. He finished second on the team in quarterback hurries with nine and forced fumbles with three. The Texas native made history as he became the first Longhorn to win the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year award. Rounding out the list is Taaffe, who has become one of the best defensive backs in the nation. The former walk-on started every game last season, finishing with 78 total tackles. He also made life difficult for quarterbacks with 10 pass deflections. Over the last few years, he has become a staple in Steve Sarkisian's defense and turned himself into a legitimate NFL prospect. While the Longhorns trio has made headlines with their play, they do face the competition. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the nation's top defensive player, and rankings will change over the next few months. Luckily for Texas, they have a good track record with this honor. Last year, Jahdae Barron was one of four finalists. In 2014, former Longhorns star Malcom Brown was a finalist, and in 2008, Brian Orakpo took home the honors. Regardless of how the award plays out, the Longhorns' talented trio is poised to do big things and build on what have already been unforgettable college careers.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Three Longhorns named to Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list
Three Longhorns named to Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list Preseason finalists for Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list revealed With the start of the college football season quickly approaching, excitement is building for what the Texas Longhorns will accomplish this year. Those expectations continued to build on Wednesday when three Longhorns landed on the Lott IMPACT Trophy watch list. That trio includes Colin Simmons, Anthony Hill Jr., and Michael Taaffe. Hill is coming off a stellar 2024 campaign in which he led the Longhorns in tackles with 103 and tackles for a loss with 16.5. While Hill continued to prove his value, he also received national recognition for his play. The Texas native was named a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Butkus awards. He also was named the SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week once. The talented linebacker got some help from Colin Simmons, who was stellar during his freshman campaign. He appeared in all 16 games, adding nine sacks to his resume. On a Longhorns defense that frustrated offensive coordinators, Simmons recorded 48 tackles and one interception. Due to his play, Simmons won the Shaun Alexander National Freshman of the Year Award. Rounding out the list is Taaffe, who has become a staple in the Longhorns defense. The former walk-on played in every game last season. He finished second in total tackles with 78 and pass deflections with 10. During his time as a Longhorn, the Austin native has been a model of consistency, appearing in 43 games. He will look to help the Longhorns end their championship drought this season. Each year, the award is given to the student-athlete who makes an impact on and off the field. While the Longhorns trio have plenty of competition, they have a good chance to add to their trophy cases. The winner of the Lott IMPACT Trophy will be announced in December. It would be no surprise for Simmons, Hill, or Taaffe to hear their names called when the winner is revealed.
