Football Writers Association of America

The Football Writers Association of America has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski dominated college football then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s.

The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's entire membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists. The committee members then select the winner as the best defensive player in college football.

Each Tuesday during the regular season, the FWAA has selected a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week since 2001.

Finalists for the 2021 trophy will be announced on Nov. 17 and the winner will be unveiled on Dec. 6 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet presented by LendingTree in Chalotte, N.C.

2021 Season News
• Three finalists named for 2021 Bronko Nagurski Trophy (11.17.21)
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list unveiled (7.27.21)

2021 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Weekend of Sept. 4: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
• Weekend of Sept. 11: Verone McKinley III, S, Oregon
• Weekend of Sept. 18: Jared Bartlett, DE, West Virginia
• Weekend of Sept. 25: Jack Campbell, LB, Iowa
• Weekend of Oct. 2: Khoury Bethley, S, Hawaii
• Weekend of Oct. 9: Matt Hankins, CB, Iowa
• Weekend of Oct. 16: Will Anderson Jr., LB, Alabama
• Weekend of Oct. 23: Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE/LB, Oregon
• Weekend of Oct. 30: Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State
• Weekend of Nov. 6: Steven Jones Jr., CB, App State

Related links:
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy (All-Time Winners, Finalists and Players of the Week)
• Download the Bronko Nagurski Trophy presented by LendingTree logo: Primary (.jpg) | Primary (.eps)

Other News:
• Tulsa's Collins wins 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy (12.23.20)
• 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists unveiled (12.9.20)
• 2020 Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet cancelled (11.2.20)
• Ohio State's Young wins 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy (12.9.19)
• FWAA unveils 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists (11.20.19)

ALL-TIME BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY WINNERS
2021          
  Finalists: Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama LB); Jordan Davis (Georgia DT); Kayvon Thibodeaux (Oregon DE)
2020 Zaven Collins, Tulsa (LB) 6-4 260 Jr. Hominy, Okla.
  Finalists: Tarron Jackson (Coastal Carolina DE); Daviyon Nixon (Iowa DT); Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (Notre Dame LB); Patrick Surtain II (Alabama CB)
2019 Chase Young, Ohio State (DE) 6-5 265 Jr. Upper Marlboro, Md.
  Finalists: Derrick Brown (Auburn DT); J.R. Reed (Georgia S); Isaiah Simmons (Clemson LB); Antoine Winfield Jr. (Minnesota DB)
2018 Josh Allen, Kentucky (LB) 6-5 260 Sr. Montclair, N.J.
  Finalists: Devin Bush (Michigan LB); Grant Delpit (LSU S); Christian Wilkins (Clemson DT); Quinnen Williams (Alabama NG)
2017 Bradley Chubb, NC State (DE) 6-4 275 Sr. Marietta, Ga.
  Finalists: Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama S); Josey Jewell (Iowa MLB); Ed Oliver (Houston DT); Roquan Smith (Georgia OLB)
2016 Jonathan Allen, Alabama (DE) 6-3 291 Sr. Leesburg, Va.
  Finalists: Reuben Foster (Alabama LB); Tarvarus McFadden (Florida State CB); Jabrill Peppers (Michigan LB/DB); Christian Wilkins (Clemson DE)
2015 Tyler Matakevich, Temple (LB) 6-1 232 Sr. Stratford, Conn.
  Finalists: Jeremy Cash (Duke S); Shaq Lawson (Clemson DE); Carl Nassib (Penn State DE); Reggie Ragland (Alabama LB)
2014 Scooby Wright III, Arizona (LB) 6-1 246 So. Windsor, Calif.
  Finalists: Malcom Brown (Texas DT); Landon Collins (Alabama S); Senquez Golson (Ole Miss CB); Gerod Holliman (Louisville S)
2013 Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh (DT) 6-0 285 Sr. Pittsburgh, Pa.
  Finalists: Darqueze Dennard (Michigan State CB); Lamarcus Joyner (Florida State CB); C.J. Mosley (Alabama LB); Michael Sam (Missouri DE)
2012 Manti Te'o, Notre Dame (LB) 6-2 255 Sr. Laie, Hawaii
  Finalists: Jadeveon Clowney (South Carolina DE); Jarvis Jones (Georgia LB); Dee Milliner (Alabama CB); Bjoern Werner (Florida State DE)
2011 Luke Kuechly, Boston College (LB) 6-3 237 Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio
  Finalists: Mark Barron (Alabama FS); Morris Claiborne (LSU CB); Whitney Mercilus (Illinois DE); Devon Still (Penn State DT)
2010 Da'Quan Bowers, Clemson (DE) 6-4 275 Jr. Bamberg, S.C.
  Finalists: Nick Fairley (Auburn DT); Justin Houston (Georgia LB); Luke Kuechly (Boston College LB); Patrick Peterson (LSU CB)
2009 Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska (DT) 6-4 300 Sr. Portland, Ore.
  Finalists: Pat Angerer (Iowa LB); Eric Berry (Tennessee CB); Terrence Cody (Alabama DT); Jerry Hughes (TCU DE)
2008 Brian Orakpo, Texas (DE) 6-4 260 Sr. Houston, Texas
  Finalists: Jerry Hughes (TCU DE); Rey Maualuga (USC LB); Alphonso Smith (Wake Forest CB); Brandon Spikes (Florida LB)
2007 Glenn Dorsey, LSU (DT) 6-3 303 Sr. Gonzales, La.
  Finalists: James Laurinaitis (Ohio State LB); Chris Long (Virginia DE); George Selvie (South Florida DE); Aqib Talib (Kansas CB)
2006 James Laurinaitis, Ohio State (LB) 6-3 244 So. Hamel, Minn.
  Finalists: Gaines Adams (Clemson DL); Leon Hall (Michigan DB); Reggie Nelson (Florida DB); Patrick Willis (Missisippi LB)
2005 Elvis Dumervil, Louisville (DE) 6-0 256 Sr. Miami, Fla.
  Finalists: Tamba Hali (Penn State DE); Haloti Ngata (Oregon DT); DeMeco Ryans (Alabama LB); Jimmy Williams (Virginia Tech CB)
2004 Derrick Johnson, Texas (LB) 6-4 230 Sr. Waco, Texas
  Finalists: Jonathan Goddard (Marshall DL); Erasmus James (Wisconsin DL); David Pollack (Georgia DE); Carlos Rogers (Auburn CB)
2003 Derrick Strait, Oklahoma (CB) 5-11 195 Sr. Austin, Texas
  Finalists: Dave Ball (UCLA DE); Tommie Harris (Oklahoma DT); Chad Lavalais (LSU DT); Grant Wiley (West Virginia LB)
2002 Terrell Suggs, Arizona State (DE) 6-3 252 Jr. Chandler, Ariz.
  Finalists: E.J. Henderson (Maryland LB); Terence Newman (Kansas State CB); David Pollack (Georgia DE); Shane Walton (Notre Dame CB)
2001 Roy Williams, Oklahoma (DB) 6-0 215 Jr. Union City, Calif.
  Finalists: Rocky Calmus (Oklahoma LB); Julius Peppers (North Carolina DE); Dwight Freeney (Syracuse DE); Alex Brown (Florida DE)
2000 Dan Morgan, Miami (LB) 6-3 243 Sr. Coral Springs, Fla.
  Finalists: Andre Carter (California DE); Levar Fisher (N.C. State LB); John Henderson (Tennessee DT); Justin Smith (Missouri DE)
1999 Corey Moore, Virginia Tech (DE) 6-0 225 Sr. Brownsville, Tenn.
  Finalists: LaVar Arrington (Penn St. LB); Courtney Brown (Penn St. DE); Tyrone Carter (Minnesota DB); Corey Simon (Florida St. DT)
1998 Champ Bailey, Georgia (DB) 6-1 186 Jr. Folkston, Ga.
  Finalists: Patrick Kearney (Virginia DE); Jeff Kelly (Kansas State LB); Anthony Poindexter (Virginia DB); Al Wilson (Tennessee LB)
1997 Charles Woodson, Michigan (CB) 6-1 197 Jr. Fremont, Ohio
  Finalists: Sam Cowart (Florida State LB); Andy Katzenmoyer (Ohio State LB): Jason Peter (Nebraska DT); Grant Wistrom (Nebraska DE)
1996 Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern (LB) 6-2 233 Sr. Orland Park, Ill.
  Finalists: Chris Canty (Kansas St. CB); Canute Curtis (West Virginia LB); Derrick Rodgers (Arizona St. DE); Grant Wistrom (Nebraska DE)
1995 Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern (LB) 6-2 228 Jr. Orland Park, Ill.
  Finalists: Cornell Brown (Virginia Tech DE); Chris Canty (Kansas State CB); Kevin Hardy (Illinois LB); Zach Thomas (Texas Tech LB)
FWAA National Defensive Player of the Year Award
1994 Warren Sapp, Miami (DT) 6-3 284 Jr. Plymouth, Fla.
  Finalists: Dana Howard (Illinois LB); Ed Stewart (Nebraska LB)
1993 Rob Waldrop, Arizona, (DL) 6-2 274 Sr. Phoenix, Ariz.
  Finalists: Antonio Langham (Alabama CB); Derrick Brooks (Florida State LB)

2020 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Weekend of Sept. 5: Isaiah Kaufusi, LB, BYU
• Weekend of Sept. 12: Curtis Ryans, DE, Georgia Tech
• Weekend of Sept. 19: Tavante Beckett, LB, Marshall
• Weekend of Sept. 26: Jahron McPherson, S, Kansas State
• Weekend of Oct. 3: Bumper Pool, LB, Arkansas
• Weekend of Oct. 10: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
• Weekend of Oct. 17: Grant Morgan, LB, Arkansas
• Weekend of Oct. 24: Nick Andersen, S, Wake Forest
• Weekend of Oct. 31: Joseph Ossai, DE/LB, Texas
• Weekend of Nov. 7: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
• Weekend of Nov. 14: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
• Weekend of Nov. 21: Blake Gallagher, LB, Northwestern
• Weekend of Nov. 28: Nate Landman, LB, Colorado

Related links:
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy (All-Time Winners, Finalists and Players of the Week)
• Download the Bronko Nagurski Trophy presented by LendingTree logo: Primary (.jpg) | Primary (.eps)

2019 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Weekend of Aug. 31: Alijah Halliburton, Wyoming
• Weekend of Sept. 7: Evan Weaver, Cal
• Weekend of Sept. 14: David Reese II, Florida
• Weekend of Sept. 21: Demetrius Taylor, Appalachian State
• Weekend of Sept. 28: Benny Walls, Temple
• Weekend of Oct. 5: Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
• Weekend of Oct. 12: Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina
• Weekend of Oct. 19: Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech
• Weekend of Oct. 26: Chase Young, Ohio State
• Weekend of Nov. 2: Dele Harding, Illinois
• Weekend of Nov. 9: Terrel Bernard, Baylor

Related link:
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy (All-Time Winners, Finalists and Players of the Week)

2018 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Weekend of Sept. 1: Tyler Horton, Boise State
• Weekend of Sept. 8: Nate Landman, Colorado
• Weekend of Sept. 15: Alvin Davis Jr., Akron
• Weekend of Sept. 22: Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington
• Weekend of Sept. 29: Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
• Weekend of Oct. 6: Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
• Weekend of Oct. 13: Keisean Lucier-South, UCLA
• Weekend of Oct. 20: Austin Robinson, Houston
• Weekend of Oct. 27: Reed Blankenship, Middle Tennessee
• Weekend of Nov. 3: Quinnen Williams, Alabama

Related link:
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy (All-Time Winners, Finalists and Players of the Week)

2017 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Weekend of Sept. 2: Jordan Wyatt, SMU
• Weekend of Sept. 9: Austin Bryant, Clemson
• Weekend of Sept. 16: Kameron Kelly, San Diego State
• Weekend of Sept. 23: Josey Jewell, Iowa
• Weekend of Sept. 30: Dorian O'Daniel, Clemson
• Weekend of Oct. 7: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
• Weekend of Oct. 14: Austin Hall, Memphis
• Weekend of Oct. 21: TJ Carter, Memphis
• Weekend of Oct. 28: Paddy Fisher, Northwestern
• Weekend of Nov. 4: Khaleke Hudson, Michigan

Related link:
• Bronko Nagurski Trophy (All-Time Winners, Finalists and Players of the Week)

2016 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Weekend of Sept. 3: Justin Evans, Texas A&M
• Weekend of Sept. 10: Sunia Tauteoli, Utah
• Weekend of Sept. 17: Steven Taylor, Houston
• Weekend of Sept. 24: Travon Blanchard, Baylor
• Weekend of Oct. 1: Ben Boulware, Clemson
• Weekend of Oct. 8: Josiah Powell, Navy
• Weekend of Oct. 15: Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
• Weekend of Oct. 22: Jonathan Allen, Alabama
• Weekend of Oct. 29: Jarron Jones, Notre Dame
• Weekend of Nov. 5: Drico Johnson, UCF

2015 AutoNation National Defensive Players of the Week
• Week of Sept. 5: Karl Joseph, West Virginia
• Week of Sept. 12: Kai Nacua, BYU
• Week of Sept. 19: RJ Williamson, Michigan State
• Week of Sept. 26: Jeremy Cash, Duke
• Week of Oct. 3: Eric Striker, Oklahoma
• Week of Oct. 10: Emmanuel Ogbah, Oklahoma State
• Week of Oct. 17: Minkah Fitzpatrick and Eddie Jackson, Alabama
• Week of Oct. 24: Cameron Smith, USC
• Week of Oct. 31: Quenton Meeks, Stanford
• Week of Nov. 7: Chad Whitener, Oklahoma State
• Week of Nov. 14: Elandon Roberts, Houston
• Week of Nov. 21: Ejuan Price, Pittsburgh
• Week of Nov. 28: Tyler Matakevich, Temple
• Week of Dec. 5: Tarris Batiste, Georgia State

2014 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Aug. 30: Eric Kendricks, UCLA
• Sept. 6: Kyshoen Jarrett, Virginia Tech
• Sept. 13: Josh Keyes, Boston College
• Sept. 20: Quentin Poling, Ohio
• Sept. 27: Weston Steelhammer, Air Force
• Oct. 4: Nate Orchard, Utah
• Oct. 11: Terrance Plummer, UCF
• Oct. 18: Terrell Pinson, Louisiana Tech
• Oct. 25: Scooby Wright, Arizona
• Nov. 1: Zach Patt, Rice
• Nov. 8: Cedric Reed, Texas

2013 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Aug. 31: Collin Ellis, Northwestern
• Sept. 7: Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State
• Sept. 14: Anthony Barr, UCLA
• Sept. 21: Brock Hekking, Nevada
• Sept. 28: Shaquil Barrett, Colorado State
• Oct. 5: Terrance Plummer, UCF
• Oct. 12: Isaiah Newsome, ULM
• Oct. 19: Lamarcus Joyner, Florida State
• Oct. 26: Sam Scofield, Tulane
• Nov. 2: Aaron Donald, Pittsburgh
• Nov. 9: DeVon Edwards, Duke; Shayne Skov, Stanford

2012 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Sept. 1: Derrick Wells, Minnesota
• Sept. 8: Jarvis Jones, Georgia
• Sept. 15: Yawin Smallwood, Connecticut
• Sept. 22: Manti Te'o, Notre Dame
• Sept. 29: Chip Thompson, East Carolina
• Oct. 6: Brandon Sharpe, Syracuse
• Oct. 13: Khaseem Greene, Rutgers
• Oct. 20: Kevin Minter, LSU
• Oct. 27: Jarvis Jones, Georgia
• Nov. 3: Allen Chapman, Kansas State

2011 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Sept. 3: Nordly Capi, Colorado State
• Sept. 10: Ja'Gared Davis, SMU
• Sept. 17: Javon Harris, Oklahoma
• Sept. 24: Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech
• Oct. 1: Brady Amack, Air Force
• Oct. 8: Jamell Fleming, Oklahoma
• Oct. 15: Vinny Curry, Marshall
• Oct. 22: Kourtnei Brown, Clemson
• Oct. 29: Jarvis Jones, Georgia
• Nov. 5: Eric Reid, LSU

2010 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Sept. 4: Kenny Tate, Maryland
• Sept. 11: Chimdi Chekwa, Ohio State
• Sept. 18: Patrick Larimore, UCLA
• Sept. 25: Robert Lester, Alabama
• Oct. 2: Jayron Hosley, Virginia Tech
• Oct. 9: Tramain Thomas, Arkansas
• Oct. 16: Chris White, Mississippi State
• Oct. 23: J.J. Watt, Wisconsin
• Oct. 30: Sio Moore, Connecticut
• Nov. 6: Michael Hodges, Texas A&M

2009 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Sept. 5: B.W. Webb, William & Mary
• Sept. 12: Nate Triplett, Minnesota
• Sept. 19: Donald Butler, Washington
• Sept. 26: Pat Angerer, Iowa
• Oct. 3: Rolando McClain, Alabama
• Oct. 10: Ndamukong Suh, Nebraska
• Oct. 17: Ryan Kerrigan, Purdue
• Oct. 24: DeAndre McDaniel, Clemson
• Oct. 31: Jared Crick, Nebraska
• Nov. 7: Matt O'Hanlon, Nebraska

2008 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Aug. 30: Ben Owens, Arkansas State
• Sept. 6: Patrick Benoist, Vanderbilt
• Sept. 13: DeAndre Levy, Wisconsin
• Sept. 20: Ryan Hamilton, Vanderbilt
• Sept. 27: Trimane Goddard, North Carolina
• Oct. 4: Scott McKillop, Pittsburgh
• Oct. 11: Tyrrell Herbert, Toledo
• Oct. 18: Jerry Hughes, TCU
• Oct. 25: Darryl Gamble, Georgia
• Nov. 1: Daniel Charbonnet, Texas Tech
• Nov. 8: Rashad Johnson, Alabama

2007 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Sept. 1: Pig Brown, Missouri
• Sept. 8: Nate Allen, South Florida
• Sept. 15: Robert Johnson, Utah
• Sept. 22: Larry English, Northern Illinois
• Sept. 29: Ben Moffitt, South Florida
• Oct. 6: Eric Norwood, South Carolina
• Oct. 13: Mike Humpal, Iowa
• Oct. 20: D.J. Moore, Vanderbilt
• Oct. 27: Terrence Wheatley, Colorado
• Nov. 3: James Laurinaitis, Ohio State

2006 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Sept. 2: Buster Davis, Florida State
• Sept. 9: James Laurinaitis, Ohio State
• Sept. 16: Prescott Burgess, Michigan
• Sept. 23: Terrail Lambert, Notre Dame
• Sept. 30: Philip Wheeler, Georgia Tech
• Oct. 7: Aaron Ross, Texas
• Oct. 14: Quentin Groves, Auburn
• Oct. 21: Ameer Ismail, Western Michigan
• Oct. 28: Damon Nickson, Middle Tennessee
• Nov. 4: Quinton Culberson, Mississippi State

2005 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Sept. 10: Dion Byrum, Ohio
• Sept. 17: A.J. Nicholson, Florida State
• Sept. 24: Ben Moffitt, South Florida
• Oct. 1: Jon Abbate, Wake Forest
• Oct. 8: Tim McGarigle, Northwestern
• Oct. 15: Bobby Carpenter, Ohio State
• Oct. 22: Herschel Henderson, Northwestern
• Oct. 29: Michael Johnson, Arizona
• Nov. 5: A.J. Davis, North Carolina State

2004 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Sept. 11: Michael Boley, Southern Miss
• Sept. 18: Matt McCoy, San Diego State
• Sept. 25: Derrick Martin, Wyoming
• Oct. 2: Junior Rosegreen, Auburn
• Oct. 9: Mike Patterson, USC
• Oct. 16: Scott Starks, Wisconsin
• Oct. 23: Chris Harris, Louisiana-Monroe
• Oct. 30: Tim McGarigle, Northwestern
• Nov. 6: Morgan Scalley, Utah

2003 Bronko Nagurski Players of the Week
• Sept. 9: Eric Henderson, Georgia Tech
• Sept. 16: Jamaal Brimmer, UNLV
• Sept. 23: Corey Webster, LSU
• Sept. 30: Usama Young, Kent State
• Oct. 7: Dave Ball, UCLA
• Oct. 14: Jorge Cordova, Nevada
• Oct. 21: Keiwan Ratliff, Florida
• Oct. 28: Janssen Patton, Bowling Green
• Nov. 4: Derrick Johnson, Texas
• Nov. 11: Erik Coleman, Washington State

Related Link:
• Charlotte Touchdown Club

2002 Bronko Nagurski Players of the Week
• Sept. 9: Maurice Sikes, Miami
• Sept. 16: Shane Walton, Notre Dame
• Sept. 23: Willie Pile, Virginia Tech
• Sept. 30: R.J. Jones, Missouri
• Oct. 7: Matt Grier, Mississippi
• Oct. 14: Corey Webster, LSU
• Oct. 21: Brandon Everage, Oklahoma
• Oct. 28: Terrell Suggs, Arizona State
• Nov. 4: Josh Ott, Boston College
• Nov. 11: Bobby Walker, Kansas State

Related Link:
• Charlotte Touchdown Club

2001 Bronko Nagurski Players of the Week:
• Sept. 10: James King, Central Michigan
• Sept. 24: Julius Peppers, North Carolina
• Oct. 1: Dan Dawson, Rice
• Oct. 8: Roy Williams, Oklahoma
• Oct. 15: E.J. Henderson, Maryland
• Oct. 22: Bob Sanders, Iowa
• Oct. 29: Jamie Burrow, Nebraska
• Nov. 5: Jermaine Petty, Arkansas
• Nov. 12: Eugene Wilson, Illinois
• Nov. 19: Jermaine Petty, Arkansas

Related News:
• Sept. 24: Charlotte Touchdown Club changes award date