DALLAS, TX – The Football Writers Association of America, in conjunction with the Charlotte Touchdown Club, released its preseason watch list for the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy presented by LendingTree today, selecting 98 defensive standouts from 66 schools in all 10 Division I FBS conferences plus Independents. Representing the MAC are five student-athletes -- Central Michigan LB Troy Brown, Western Michigan LB Treshaun Hayward, Ball State CB Antonio Phillips & Buffalo DE's Malcolm Koonce & Taylor Riggins. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is given annually to the nation's most outstanding defensive player.
Brown led the Chippewas in total tackles (91) and solo tackles (75) last season, leading the Chippewas to an 8-6 finish, the MAC West title, a berth in the league-championship game, and an appearance in the New Mexico Bowl. Brown made 16.5 tackles-for-loss last season, leading the MAC and ranking 23rd nationally. He also had three interceptions.
Hayward, the 2019 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, has played in 34 career games with 12 starts. He has recorded 179 tackles, 12.5 tackles for lost yardage, 5.0 sacks, one pass breakup, one caused fumble, two fumble recoveries and one quarterback pressure. The Ypsilanti, Mich. native finished the 2019 season ranked third nationally in total tackles with 142. He is one of two returning players in 2020 who recorded 130 or more tackles and 10.0 or more TFL in 2019, joining Jahad Woods of Washington State (141 tackles & 10.0 TFL).
Phillips, a senior from St. Louis, Missouri, intercepted four passes and was a first-team All-MAC choice in 2019. He was the first Cardinal cornerback to earn first team all-league honors in 11 years. Phillips was earlier named to the preseason watch lists for the Chuck Bednarik Award, given annually to the nation's most outstanding defensive player regardless of position, and Jim Thorpe Award, honoring the nation's top defensive back.
Koonce was an All-MAC First Team selection in 2019 after leading the Mid-American Conference in sacks with nine. The senior defensive end added 34 tackles and 11 tackles for loss on the season. He was named the Defensive MVP of the 2019 Bahamas Bowl after recording five tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble against Charlotte.
Riggins was named to the All-MAC First Team after tallying 8.5 sacks in 2019, second only to Koonce in the MAC. He added 50 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and three fumble recoveries on the season. Riggins has also been named to the Bednarik Award Watch List.
Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. As in previous years, the FWAA will announce a National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week's honored player will be added at that time. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
The winner of the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy presented by LendingTree as the National Defensive Player of the Year will be chosen from those five finalists. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
