Fresno State Athletics
Photo by: Samuel Marshall
Bailey unveiled on watch list for Bronko Nagurski Trophy
8/1/2023 9:00:00 AM | Football
DALLAS - Fresno State senior linebacker Levelle Bailey has been named to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America announced on Tuesday morning.
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The Bronko Nagurski award honors the FWAA's national defensive player of the year. Bailey is one of six Mountain West players on the watch list for the annual award presented by the FWAA since 1993, and one of 94 players overall.
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Bailey enters the 2023 season as the most experienced player on the Bulldogs' defense, having played (45) and started (36) in the most games on that side of the ball. Bailey returns as the team's leading tackler from 2022, totaling 88 tackles (54 solo) for a single-season career-best. In his career, he has 195 tackles (114 solo), 20.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks. Three interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 17 pass breakups.
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Bailey is a three-time All-Mountain West honorable mention linebacker (2020, 2021, 2022).
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This preseason, he has been named to the Shrine Bowl 1000, and he was a preseason All-Mountain West linebacker by Phil Steele (first team) and Athlon Sports (second team). Bailey was also a nominee for the Allstate and AFCA Good Works team for his efforts in and around the community.
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Flashback
The last Bulldog linebacker to be named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list was linebacker Justin Rice in 2020. Former Bulldog linebacker Mykal Walker was on the trophy's watch list in 2019. Current Bulldog linebackers coach Tim Skipper was named to the watch list as a Bulldog student-athlete in 2000. Former Bulldog Evan Williams (DB) was an addition in 2022.Â
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About the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2023 trophy on Nov. 15 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 4 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
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. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the five finalists named in November. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
The FWAA 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. 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.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935.
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"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" - The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate
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The Bronko Nagurski award honors the FWAA's national defensive player of the year. Bailey is one of six Mountain West players on the watch list for the annual award presented by the FWAA since 1993, and one of 94 players overall.
Â
Bailey enters the 2023 season as the most experienced player on the Bulldogs' defense, having played (45) and started (36) in the most games on that side of the ball. Bailey returns as the team's leading tackler from 2022, totaling 88 tackles (54 solo) for a single-season career-best. In his career, he has 195 tackles (114 solo), 20.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks. Three interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 17 pass breakups.
Â
Bailey is a three-time All-Mountain West honorable mention linebacker (2020, 2021, 2022).
Â
This preseason, he has been named to the Shrine Bowl 1000, and he was a preseason All-Mountain West linebacker by Phil Steele (first team) and Athlon Sports (second team). Bailey was also a nominee for the Allstate and AFCA Good Works team for his efforts in and around the community.
Â
Flashback
The last Bulldog linebacker to be named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list was linebacker Justin Rice in 2020. Former Bulldog linebacker Mykal Walker was on the trophy's watch list in 2019. Current Bulldog linebackers coach Tim Skipper was named to the watch list as a Bulldog student-athlete in 2000. Former Bulldog Evan Williams (DB) was an addition in 2022.Â
Â
About the Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2023 trophy on Nov. 15 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 4 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
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. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the five finalists named in November. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
The FWAA 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. 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.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935.
"Fresno State Athletics - Elevate: Imagine the Possibilities" - The Elevate Campaign provides a visionary roadmap to enhance and construct a series of athletic facilities to help further position Fresno State Athletics for sustained competitive success nationally, while also further serving as a source of pride and economic growth throughout California's Central Valley. For more information, visit GoBulldogs.com/elevate
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Players Mentioned
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