DALLAS – Buffalo linebacker Red Murdock was selected to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List, as announced by the Football Writers Association of America today. The honor is awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football.

Murdock, an All-MAC First Team selection in 2024, is coming off a breakout season for the Bulls. The Petersburg, VA native ranked second in the nation in tackles a season ago with 156 and added 16.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and an interception. He led the nation in forced fumbles with a school-record seven. He was named to the Preseason All-America Fourth Team.

The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce four finalists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy in mid-to-late November, and the winner will be revealed at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 8 in Charlotte, N.C.

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 Bronko Nagurski 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 All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.

MACtion on Preseason Watch Lists
Maxwell Award
Al-Jay Henderson, Buffalo
Parker Navarro, Ohio
Tucker Gleason, Toledo
Jalen Buckley, Western Michigan

Bronko Nagurski Trophy
Red Murdock, Buffalo