Fresno State Athletics
Burley Named to Nagurski Watch List
4/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 11, 2002
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State senior defensive end Nick Burley has been named to the watch list for the 2002 Bronko Nagurski Award, awarded annually to the nation's top defensive college player.
A first-team All-WAC selection last year, Burley played in all 14 games during the 2001 season, totaling 42 tackles, including 13 for loss and eight sacks. He is expected to be one of the leading candidates for conference Defensive Player of the Year honors this year.
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.
