Senior safety Xavier Watts of Notre Dame wins the Bronko Nagurski Award in Charlotte. NCSU outside linebacker Payton Wilson was among the great field of semifinalists. Watts had seven interceptions this season, to go along with 47 tackles and four passes broken up. The 5-11, 198-pounder had two interceptions against both Pittsburgh and USC in back-to-back October games, and also returned a fumble for a score against the Trojans.
Wilson leads the ACC and ranks fifth nationally this season with 138 tackles, plus 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and three interceptions going into the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28 in Orlando, Fla. He returned one of his interceptions 15 yards for a touchdown in a win over Clemson on Oct. 28. Wilson has also been named a semifinalist for both the Butkus and Bednarik Awards.
Junior cornerback Cooper DeJean of Iowa had 41 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended. He had his season end to injury after Nov. 11. The 6-1, 207-pound DeJean had 75 tackles and five interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns, and eight passes defended in 2022.
Sophomore safety Malaki Starks of Georgia had 51 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defended. The 6-1, 205-pounder had 69 tackles a year ago as a freshman, plus two picks.
Illinois junior defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton is arguably the top defensive line prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-2, 295-pounder had 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries and blocked four kicks this season. Newton has 184 career tackles and 18 sacks over the last four years for the Fighting Illini.
What a long, long award show, stretching about five hours in terms of pre-award things, many speakers and other awards to go through and then finally announcing the winner. I'm sure the NC State contingent have flight back to Raleigh.
Wilson leads the ACC and ranks fifth nationally this season with 138 tackles, plus 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks and three interceptions going into the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28 in Orlando, Fla. He returned one of his interceptions 15 yards for a touchdown in a win over Clemson on Oct. 28. Wilson has also been named a semifinalist for both the Butkus and Bednarik Awards.
Junior cornerback Cooper DeJean of Iowa had 41 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defended. He had his season end to injury after Nov. 11. The 6-1, 207-pound DeJean had 75 tackles and five interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns, and eight passes defended in 2022.
Sophomore safety Malaki Starks of Georgia had 51 tackles, two interceptions and seven passes defended. The 6-1, 205-pounder had 69 tackles a year ago as a freshman, plus two picks.
Illinois junior defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton is arguably the top defensive line prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft. The 6-2, 295-pounder had 52 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, nine quarterback hurries and blocked four kicks this season. Newton has 184 career tackles and 18 sacks over the last four years for the Fighting Illini.
What a long, long award show, stretching about five hours in terms of pre-award things, many speakers and other awards to go through and then finally announcing the winner. I'm sure the NC State contingent have flight back to Raleigh.
