McDonald Named to Nagurski Watch List
4/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 11, 2002
TCU linebacker LaMarcus McDonald has been named to the 2002 watch list of candidates for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top defensive college player, according to the Charlotte Touchdown Club and the Football Writers Association of America.
McDonald is one of 64 players on the 2002 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, which includes five players from Conference USA. Other C-USA candidates include linebacker Rod Davis from Southern Miss, defensive back Anthony Floyd and defensive end DeWayne White from defending conference champion Louisville, and defensive end Antwan Peek from Cincinnati.
McDonald earned second team all-conference honors in 2001 after finishing second on the squad with 80 tackles. He led Conference USA and tied for fourth in the nation with 25 tackles for loss. He also led the team with six sacks, which tied for sixth in the league, and added four quarterback hurries. He was the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week after notching 5 1/2 tackles for losses totaling 43 yards in a win over conference champion Louisville. McDonald started and finished the season in impressive fashion on national TV. He tied for the team lead with eight tackles including four for losses that totaled 16 yards in the opener at Nebraska, then recorded a game-high 17 tackles, including six for lost yardage in the galleryfurniture.com bowl vs. Texas A&M.
The 800-member Football Writers Association of America selects the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list candidates, identifies the players of the week and names the trophy winner. The Charlotte Touchdown Club, a non-profit organization that raises funds for scholarships, has presented the trophy each year since 1995.
The distinguished recipients who have been awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in past years include the following: Rob Waldrop (1993), Warren Sapp (1994), Pat Fitzgerald (1995 and '96), Charles Woodson (1997), Champ Bailey (1998), Corey Moore (1999) and Dan Morgan (2000). The 2001 recipient was Roy Williams, a junior defensive back from the University of Oklahoma.
The award, named after Hall of Famer and University of Minnesota and Chicago Bears star Bronko Nagurski, recognizes the best all-around defensive players throughout the year with the Bronko Nagurski Player of the Week. In November, five finalists will be selected and the trophy will be presented to the winner at a banquet on December 9 in Charlotte, N.C.
For the complete Nagurski Watch List, go to www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/nagurski020410.html.
