14 SEC defenders among 85 players named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Last year, Will Anderson Jr., the standout Alabama edge rusher, won the Bronko Nagurski Award, given annually to the nation’s best defensive player.
This year, he’s 1 of 85 players to be named to the Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list, along with 3 of his Alabama defensive teammates.
A total of 14 SEC defenders made the cut, with Alabama (4), Georgia (3), Arkansas (2), Auburn, Mississippi State, Texas A&M, LSU and South Carolina all represented:
- Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama
- Jordan Battle, S, Alabama
- Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia
- Jalen Catalon, S, Arkansas
- Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State
- Derick Hall, DE, Auburn
- Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M
- BJ Ojulari, DE, LSU
- Bumper Pool, LB, Arkansas
- Eli Ricks, CB, Alabama
- Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia
- Cam Smith, CB, South Carolina
- Nolan Smith, LB, Georgia
- Henry To’o To’o, LB, Alabama
The SEC led the way with 14 players on the list. The ACC, Big 12 and Big Ten all placed 10 players on the list. The Pac-12 had 8 players named.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
