IRVING, Texas - Seventy-five of the top defensive players in the nation were named to the preseason watch list for the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is presented annually to the national defensive player of the year.
The list includes five players from the American Athletic Conference, which has produced two winners of the Nagurski Trophy in the conference's first 11 seasons.
The American was represented by UTSA defensive end Joe Evans, Tulane defensive tackle Patrick Jenkins, Memphis linebacker Chandler Martin, Navy linebacker Colin Ramos and East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel.
Former Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich was the 2015 winner of the Nagurski Trophy, while former Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins was the winner in 2020.