Bronko Nagurski Award Winners

Most Outstanding Defensive Player

Award Winners

  • * indicates bowl stats included
Award Winners Table
Year Player School Summary
2025Jacob Rodriguez*Texas Tech63 Solo, 65 Ast, 1.0 Sk, 4 Int
2024Kyle Kennard*South Carolina20 Solo, 8 Ast, 11.5 Sk, 0 Int
2023Xavier Watts*Notre Dame30 Solo, 22 Ast, 0.5 Sk, 7 Int
2022Will Anderson Jr.*Alabama24 Solo, 27 Ast, 10.0 Sk, 1 Int
2021Will Anderson Jr.*Alabama58 Solo, 44 Ast, 17.5 Sk, 0 Int
2020Zaven Collins*Tulsa36 Solo, 18 Ast, 4.0 Sk, 4 Int
2019Chase Young*Ohio State32 Solo, 14 Ast, 16.5 Sk, 0 Int
2018Josh Allen*Kentucky56 Solo, 32 Ast, 17.0 Sk, 0 Int
2017Bradley Chubb*North Carolina State40 Solo, 33 Ast, 10.0 Sk, 0 Int
2016Jonathan Allen*Alabama33 Solo, 36 Ast, 10.5 Sk, 0 Int
2015Tyler Matakevich*Temple77 Solo, 61 Ast, 4.5 Sk, 5 Int
2014Scooby Wright*Arizona99 Solo, 64 Ast, 14.0 Sk, 0 Int
2013Aaron Donald*Pitt43 Solo, 16 Ast, 11.0 Sk, 0 Int
2012Manti Te'o*Notre Dame55 Solo, 58 Ast, 1.5 Sk, 7 Int
2011Luke KuechlyBoston College102 Solo, 89 Ast, 0.0 Sk, 3 Int
2010Da'Quan Bowers*Clemson41 Solo, 26 Ast, 15.5 Sk, 1 Int
2009Ndamukong Suh*Nebraska52 Solo, 33 Ast, 12.0 Sk, 1 Int
2008Brian Orakpo*Texas32 Solo, 8 Ast, 11.5 Sk
2007Glenn Dorsey*LSU34 Solo, 35 Ast, 7.0 Sk
2006James Laurinaitis*Ohio State53 Solo, 62 Ast, 4.0 Sk, 5 Int
2005Elvis Dumervil*Louisville36 Solo, 27 Ast, 20.0 Sk, 1 Int
2004Derrick Johnson*Texas1 Int, 18 Yds, 0 TD
2003Derrick Strait*Oklahoma3 Int, 127 Yds, 0 TD
2002Terrell Suggs*Arizona State1 Int, 22 Yds, 0 TD
2001Roy WilliamsOklahoma2 FR, 25 Yds, 1 TD
2000Dan MorganMiami (FL)2 Int, 34 Yds, 0 TD
1999Corey MooreVirginia Tech
1998Champ BaileyGeorgia47 Rec, 744 Yds, 15.8 Avg, 5 TD
1997Charles WoodsonMichigan7 Int, 7 Yds, 0 TD
1996Pat FitzgeraldNorthwestern2 Int, 25 Yds, 0 TD
1995Pat FitzgeraldNorthwestern1 Int, 7 Yds, 0 TD
1994Warren SappMiami (FL)
1993Rob WaldropArizona