CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – Ten Atlantic Coast Conference defensive standouts representing seven programs were named to the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Tuesday.
The 68-player preseason watch list features student-athletes from 47 schools representing all 10 FBS conferences and the FBS Independents.
Miami paced all ACC schools and tied for the national lead with three selections as defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., defensive end Damon Wilson II and safety Bryce Fitzgerald earned spots on the watch list. Louisville followed with two honorees in safety Koen Entringer and defensive end Clev Lubin, while Clemson, North Carolina, Stanford, Virginia and Virginia Tech each placed one student-athlete on the list.
Presented annually to the nation's top defensive player, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded by the FWAA since 1993. The award was renamed in 1995 in honor of legendary two-way standout Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski, a charter member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List – ACC Selections
- Sammy Brown, Jr., LB, Clemson
- Koen Entringer, Jr., S, Louisville
- Clev Lubin, R-Sr., DE, Louisville
- Bryce Fitzgerald, So., S, Miami
- Ahmad Moten Sr., R-Sr., DT, Miami
- Damon Wilson II, Sr., DE, Miami
- Melkart Abou Jaoude, R-Sr., DE, North Carolina
- Matt Rose, R-Sr., LB, Stanford
- Kam Robinson, Sr., LB, Virginia
- Kemari Copeland, R-Sr., DT, Virginia Tech
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 and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 19. The official presentation to the recipient of the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, North Carolina on December 7.