DALLAS -- Toledo's Maxen Hook, Akron's CJ Nunnally IV and Miami's Matt Salopek were selected to the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List today, as announced by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is given annually to the top defensive player of the year.
Nunnally earned First-Team All-Mid-American Conference accolades a season ago after playing in all 12 games for the Zips. Nunnally finished regular season play ranked second in the MAC in tackles for loss (15.5) for a total of 69 yards of loss, posting 10.5 TFL in league play. In addition, he ranked fifth in the MAC with seven sacks for 44 yards of loss and four sacks coming in conference games.
On the national landscape, Nunnally ranked 18th overall in tackles for loss (1.3 per game) and 44th in sacks (0.58 per game). He led Akron in both categories, ranking fourth on the team in total tackles (65), including a third-best 35 solo takedowns. He added eight QB hurries, two pass break-ups and one forced fumble. Nunnally registered a season-best three tackles for loss and two sacks against Morgan State and Buffalo.
Salopek has 392 tackles (11th in school history), 25.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and one interception in 45 career games. The sixth-year senior was named MAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 and has earned All-MAC honors in 2021, 2022 and 2023. He has 100-plus tackles in three straight seasons and could become the first RedHawk in program history with four-straight 100-tackle seasons.
Hook is a three-time All-MAC safety who had a big year in 2023 despite missing five games due to injury. He had 70 tackles and led the team with three interceptions, earning first-team All-MAC honors for the second year in a row.
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2024 trophy on Nov. 20 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 9 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C. 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. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the five finalists named in November. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
