Bronko Nagurski Trophy: 5 Players to Watch

Established in 1993, the Bronco Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to college football's top defensive player. Named after Nagurski, who played fullback and defensive tackle at the University of Minnesota from 1927-1929, was selected as a consensus All-American in 1929. After his time with the Golden Gophers, he entered the NFL and played for the Chicago Bears. In the existence of the award, only two athletes have won the award in back-to-back seasons, Pat Fitzgerald from Northwestern who won the award in 1995 and 1996, and Will Anderson who won the award in 2021 and 2022.

As the clock counts down to the start of the 2024 season, which players stand out to be named to the watch list for the Nagurski Trophy?

James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Pearce is a true disruptive force on the edge for the Volunteers. He's athletic, quick-footed and can win in various ways at the line of scrimmage. He's got a natural athletic ability to attack and still be able to change direction quickly to adjust to the play.

Pearce plays with equal parts high energy and physicality to engage blockers and shed initial contact to wreak havoc in the backfield. In his first full season starting, Pearce recorded 28 tackles and 10 sacks. He also forced 2 fumbles on his way to earning first-team All-Southeastern Conference honors. They say "It just matters more" in the SEC, and offenses and coaches are going to be laser-focused on where No. 27 is for the Volunteers each week.

Mason Graham, Defensive Tackle, Michigan

Graham was a vital piece from the championship run for Michigan in 2023. He is a defensive tackle who plays with violent hands as he engages blockers and make tackles. Very close to an immovable object for opposing offenses, Graham keeps his hands active as he engages blockers and plays relentlessly through the whistle.

He's athletically versatile to play various positions along the defensive line and shows good football instincts to take the right angle when pursuing the ball carrier. He's improved year to year in production and is poised to take another step forward this season. His best season was last year with 36 tackles and 3 sacks. He also forced and recovered a fumble. With several players from last season's championship run departing to the NFL, Graham is ready to lead the Wolverines defense in 2024.

Barrett Carter, Linebacker, Clemson

A ball hawk of a linebacker, Carter has a rare combination of speed, power and range. He's able to defend against the run as well as drop into pass coverage. Carter has been a disruptive force for Clemson recording 20 sacks over the past two seasons.

He's got the instincts to read and react to the offense quickly and plays through the whistle finishing his tackles with a physicality defensive coordinators look for. A slight dip in production after a career-high 73 tackles in 2022 serves as a chip on his shoulder as he looks to have a breakout season in 2024.

Patrick Payton, EDGE, Florida State

After playing alongside Jared Verse last season, Payton is ready to take the next step and establish himself as a top defender this season. Coming off a career-best in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks in 2023, Payton is an athletic pass rusher with an explosive first step.

Armed with a quick first step off the line of scrimmage and length to engage blockers, Payton can engage blockers early and gain the advantage. Payton has the agility to change direction quickly and the football instincts to match. He also shows good instincts to deflect the passes if he can't get to the quarterback.

Travis Hunter, Defensive Back, Colorado

A bit of a mystery in his development, Hunter is a very rare athlete who can play on both sides of the ball (he also plays wide receiver for the Buffaloes). While ultra-talented with the athletic ability and football intelligence to match, it's hard to know if he can establish himself as the top defensive player while also playing receiver. Hunter has the athletic ability to keep pace with opposing defenders and the instincts to track the ball and deflect or cause turnovers.

He's also got the speed to match any receiver. In his first season with Colorado, he recorded 30 tackles to go along with 5 pass breakups and 3 interceptions. While he can contribute on both sides of the ball, focusing on one over the other in 2024 could help establish him as a truly elite corner (or receiver) to match his potential.