Jaylan Ford named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list
Texas linebacker Jaylan Ford was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list on Tuesday, the Football Writers Association of American announced. The Nagurski Trophy is given annually to college football’s top defensive player.
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Ford, a senior linebacker from Frisco (Texas) Lone Star, was recently named the Big 12’s preseason defensive player of the year. Ford recorded a career high 119 tackles in 2022, 61 of them solo, along with three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and four interceptions. Those four picks were the most by a Longhorn linebacker since Derrick Johnson accomplished the feat in 2002 and 2003. In addition, Ford recorded 10.0 TFL, two sacks, two hurries, and two pass breakups.
A first-team All-Big 12 selection in 2022, Ford was also named a third-team All-American by the Associated Press.
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Ford was recently named to the watch list for the Lott IMPACT Award.
A member of the class of 2020, Ford was ranked as the No. 1191 overall prospect, the No. 134 linebacker, and the No. 144 player in Texas according to the On3 Industry Ranking.
Per release, the winner of the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be chosen from five finalists that will be announced by the FWAA and Charlotte Touchdown Club on Nov. 15 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 4 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.
