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PROVO — BYU linebacker Alani Fua and safety Craig Bills were both named to the 2014 Bronko Nagurski Preseason Watch List on Thursday. The Bronko Nagurski Award is given to the most outstanding defensive player in college football.
Fua, who is also on the watch list for the CFPA Linebacker Trophy, enters his senior season with 5.0 career-sacks, 82 tackles (63 in 2013) and three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown. The 6-foot 5-inch, 228-pound Fua has been a durable player for BYU, playing in 34 out of a possible 39 games while in Provo.
The 6-foot 1-inch Bills is coming off an impressive junior season which included 78 tackles and two interceptions. In 2014, the senior from Provo is expected to be one of the anchors of a very deep and talented secondary.
Also on Thursday, Cougar senior Michael Yeck was named to the 2014 Outland Trophy Watch List, given to the nation’s best interior lineman. Yeck, also a senior, started all 13 games for BYU in 2013.
The winner of the Bronko Nagurski Award will be announced on Dec. 8; the Outland Trophy winner will be announced on Dec. 11.
BYU Football Players on 2014 College Football Award Watch Lists
Player | Position | Award | Recognition | No. of nominees | Semifinalists | Finalists | Winner | Sponsoring Organization |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Taysom Hill | QB | Maxwell Award* | College Player of the Year | 76 | Nov.3 | Nov. 24 | Dec.11 | Maxwell Football Club |
Taysom Hill | QB | CFPA Quarterback Trophy | QB of the Year | 40 | Jan. 14, 2015 | College Football Performance Awards | ||
Jamaal Williams | RB | Maxwell Award* | College Player of the Year | 76 | Nov.3 | Nov.24 | Dec.11 | Maxwell Football Club |
Jamaal Williams | RB | CFPA Running Back Trophy | RB of the Year | 40 | Jan. 14, 2015 | College Football Performance Awards | ||
Alani Fua | LB | CFPA Linebacker Trophy | LB of the Year | 40 | Jan. 14, 2015 | College Football Performance Awards | ||
Alani Fua | LB | Bronko Nagurski Award* | Nation's Best Defensive Player | 81 | Nov. 20 | Dec. 8 | Charlotte Touchdown Club | |
Craig Bills | DB | Bronko Nagurski Award* | Nation's Best Defensive Player | 81 | Nov. 20 | Dec. 8 | Charlotte Touchdown Club | |
Devin Mahina | TE | John Mackey Award* | Nation's Outstanding Tight End | 38 | Nov. 17 | Nov. 24 | Dec.10 | Friends of John Mackey, Inc. |
Edward Fusi | C | Rimington Trophy* | Nation's Premier Center | 66 | Dec. 8 | Dec. 11 | Boomer Esiason Foundation | |
Michael Yeck | OT | Outland Trophy* | Best Interior Lineman | 64 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 24 | Dec. 11 | Football Writers Association of America |
* Award sanctioned by the National College Football Awards Association