DALLAS, Texas – Old Dominion University senior linebacker TJ Ricks was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of American and the Charlotte Touchdown Club announced on Friday.
Ricks led Conference USA in tackles last season with an ODU single season record of 123 and finished 11th in the FBS with 10.2 tackles per game. He also added 2.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, seven pass breakups and an interception. He notched six double-digit tackle games and registered a single-game ODU record with 18 tackles against Charlotte.
A former walk-on from Hampton, Ricks was a semifinalist last season for the Brandon Burlsworth Trophy given to the best player that starts their career as a walk-on.