Annually, the best defensive player in college football is awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) members vote on the nominees, who are chosen from among all Division I universities. The Charlotte Touchdown Club in Charlotte, North Carolina, is the host.
William Anderson Jr. won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy twice, in 2021 and 2022. He plays defensive end in American football for the Houston Texans in the National Football League (NFL). He was a member of Alabama's 2020 national championship team and played collegiate football there, where he was recognized with multiple trophies.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy History
Since 1993, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) has chosen the collegiate American football defensive player who is deemed to be the finest in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. This player is then given the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. In honor of Bronko Nagurski, a football player for the University of Minnesota and the Chicago Bears, the Charlotte Touchdown Club and FWAA present the award.
Renowned for his strength and stature, Bronislau "Bronko" Nagurski, a Canadian-born professional American football fullback and offensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL), passed away on January 7, 1990. As a successful professional wrestler, Nagurski won the World Heavyweight Championship several times.
Nagurski rose to prominence at the University of Minnesota, where he played fullback on offense and tackle on defense from 1927 to 1929. In 1929, he was chosen as a consensus All-American, and in 1951, he was admitted into the College Football Hall of Fame. In 1963, he became the first player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, capping a professional career with the Chicago Bears that started in 1930 and ended twice, in 1937 and 1943.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy Winner Year by Year
| Year | Winner | School | Position |
| 1993 | Rob Waldrop | Arizona | DT |
| 1994 | Warren Sapp | Miami (FL) | DT |
| 1995 | Pat Fitzgerald | Northwestern | LB |
| 1996 | LB | ||
| 1997 | Charles Woodson | Michigan | CB |
| 1998 | Champ Bailey | Georgia | CB |
| 1999 | Corey Moore | Virginia Tech | LB |
| 2000 | Dan Morgan | Miami (FL) | LB |
| 2001 | Roy Williams | Oklahoma | S |
| 2002 | Terrell Suggs | Arizona State | DE |
| 2003 | Derrick Strait | Oklahoma | CB |
| 2004 | Derrick Johnson | Texas | LB |
| 2005 | Elvis Dumervil | Louisville | DE |
| 2006 | James Laurinaitis | Ohio State | LB |
| 2007 | Glenn Dorsey | LSU | DT |
| 2008 | Brian Orakpo | Texas | LB |
| 2009 | Ndamukong Suh | Nebraska | DT |
| 2010 | Da'Quan Bowers | Clemson | DE |
| 2011 | Luke Kuechly | Boston College | LB |
| 2012 | Manti Te'o | Notre Dame | LB |
| 2013 | Aaron Donald | Pittsburgh | DT |
| 2014 | Scooby Wright III | Arizona | LB |
| 2015 | Tyler Matakevich | Temple | LB |
| 2016 | Jonathan Allen | Alabama | DE |
| 2017 | Bradley Chubb | NC State | DE |
| 2018 | Josh Allen | Kentucky | LB |
| 2019 | Chase Young | Ohio State | DE |
| 2020 | Zaven Collins | Tulsa | LB |
| 2021 | Will Anderson Jr. | Alabama | LB |
| 2022 | Will Anderson Jr. | Alabama | LB |
| 2023 | Xavier Watts | Notre Dame | S |
FAQs on Bronko Nagurski Trophy
A. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, an award for the best college football defensive player, is presented annually by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
A. William Anderson Jr. won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy both years.
A. The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selects the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
A. Bronko Nagurski was a legendary football player and professional wrestler known for his strength and success in football.
A. Bronko Nagurski was born on November 3, 1908, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.
