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