Calen Bullock Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
USC safety Calen Bullock was named to the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List on Tuesday. The award has been presented annually since 1993 by the Football Writers Association of America to the player judged as the best defensive player in the country. No USC Trojan has ever won the award.
USC defensive end Tuli Tuipulotu was one of four finalists for the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy. But that went to Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr., who took it home for the second year in a row. The Pac-12 as a whole has won the trophy just three times. Arizona defensive lineman Ron Waldrop won the inaugural Nagurski Trophy in 1993. Arizona State defensive end Terrell Suggs won in 2022. And Arizona linebacker Scooby Wright III won in 2014.
Bullock returns to the Trojans following a solid season in 2022. He recorded 48 tackles to go along with five pass deflections. He also led the Trojans with five interceptions, including one he returns 93 yards for a touchdown in the season-opener against Rice. Bullock was an AP All-Pac-12 First Team selection, an All-Pac-12 Second Team pick and a First-Team All-American by Pro Football Focus.
In his two-year career, Bullock has 87 tackles, eight pass deflections and seven interceptions.
USC Opponents on the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Watch List
Notre Dame – Linebacker JD Bertrand and cornerback Benjamin Morrison
Utah – Defensive tackle Junior Tafuna and safety Cole Bishop
California – Linebacker Jackson Sirmon
Oregon – Defensive end Brandon Dorlus and safety Evan Williams
Washington – Defensive end Bralen Trice
UCLA – Defensive end Laiatu Latu
