Five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award were announced on Thursday. The Nagurski Award honors the best defensive player in the country and is chosen by the members of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). This year, the FWAA decided to forgo naming semi-finalists and announced five defensively players.
DT Malcom Brown (Texas): The junior defensive tackle from Brenham, Texas has recorded 66 tackles this season thus far. Brown also leads the Longhorns in tackles for loss (14), sacks (6.5), and forced fumbles (2). He is also tied for first in quarterback pressures.
DB Landon Collins (Alabama): Collins is part of a defense that is ranked second in scoring defense nationally, giving up just 14.5 points a game. The junior safety has 68 total tackles (35 solo), five pass break ups, three interceptions, and two tackles for loss.
DB Senquez Golson (Ole Miss): Golson leads the SEC in interceptions and is second in the nation with nine picks on the season. The senior cornerback has 29 tackles, seven pass break ups, and two quarterback hurries. Along with his nine interceptions, he has 126 yards off of those interceptions. Golson is responsible for the interception that capped Ole Miss’s win over Alabama earlier this season.
DB Gerod Holliman (Louisville): The junior safety leads the nation in interceptions with 13 this season. He tied the ACC record for most interceptions in a single season and is one shy away from tying the NCAA record of 14. Holliman has 180 yards off his interceptions and also has one pick-six. He has 31 total tackles (25 solo) with 16 passes defended.
LB Scooby Wright (Arizona): Wright, a sophomore linebacker, has 117 tackles this season, along with 21 tackles for loss, 12 sacks and five forced fumbles. He ranks in the t0p-25 nationally in all four of those categories.
“We have an outstanding group of finalists for the 2014 Bronko Nagurski Trophy and selecting a winner is a very difficult process given the impressive defensive performances of this group,” said Kirk Bohls, 2014 FWAA President from the Austin American-Statesman.
This year will honor the 20th year of the banquet and Alabama head coach, Nick Saban, will be the keynote speaker at the event. Along with Saban, other notable guests are Randy White, former Maryland and Dallas Cowboy defensive lineman, and Steve Beuerlein, former Carolina Panther quarterback. White will be presented with the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award while Beuerlein will be the master of ceremonies. The winner will be announced on Dec. 8 in Charlotte, N.C., and will be televised on the CBS Sports Network on December 12, at 8p.m. ET.
*Section Photo credit to Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Crystal LoGiudice, USA Today Sports.
