Walker adds Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list to preseason accolades

DALLAS – For a second straight day, and third time during watch list season, Fresno State linebacker Mykal Walker has been recognized. On Tuesday, the senior was named to the 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, announced by the Football Writers Association of America. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy honors a national defensive player of the year, as selected by the FWAA since 1993.

On July 15, Walker was named to the Bednarik Award watch list, which seeks out the nation's top defensive player, and on July 22, he was added to the Butkus Award watch list.

In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

Walker is one of 36 linebackers on a list of 92 defensive standouts from 65 schools in all 10 Division I FBS conferences plus independents.

For the complete list, visit www.sportswriters.net/fwaa.

A glance at Walker:

Started 14 of 14 games in his first season on the field for Fresno State in 2018 – transferred from Azusa Pacific.
Named an All-Mountain West first team selection as a junior playing defensive end.
Shifted to middle linebacker from defensive end during the spring of 2019.
Named the Defensive MVP of the 2018 Mountain West Championship game producing 12 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the win.
In 2018, owned the second-most tackles on the team with 87 behind MW Defensive Player of the Year Jeff Allison.
Led all defensive linemen in the Mountain West in tackles per game in 2018, averaging 6.1 per game.

Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the NCFAA.

The FWAA will announce a National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week's honored player will be added at that time. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 20.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those five finalists. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.

The following is the entire 2019 preseason watch list calendar:

Monday, July 15: Bednarik Award & Maxwell Award
Tuesday, July 16: Davey O'Brien Award
Wednesday, July 17: Doak Walker Award
Thursday, July 18: Biletnikoff Award
Friday, July 19: Mackey Award & Rimington Award
Monday, July 22: Thorpe Award & Butkus Award
Tuesday, July 23: Outland Trophy & Nagurski Award
Wednesday, July 24: Groza Award & Ray Guy Award
Thursday, July 25: Hornung Award & Wuerffel Trophy
Friday, July 26: Walter Camp Award

The 2019 season opens in Bulldog Stadium in 46 days, grab your tickets today:

Season tickets, starting as low as $99 - link
4-game mini plan (Minnesota plus 3 games) - link
3-game mini plan - link
Group ticket discounts and tailgate space - link
$79 Bulldog Pass for faculty, staff and young alumni - link
Mad Duck 10-Pack - link
Minnesota single game tickets on sale now - link

"Fresno State Athletics: The Pride of the Valley" – The Bulldog Foundation creates championship experiences for Fresno State student-athletes as they strive for excellence in the classroom, in competition, and in life. To become a BDF member, please call 559-278-7160.

Fresno State Athletics

Walker adds Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list to preseason accolades

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