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Pair of 'Dogs added to preseason watch lists
8/4/2026 9:20:00 AM | Football
DALLAS - The Football Writers Association of America announced its preseason watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and the Outland Trophy on Tuesday morning, placing Bulldogs on each list.
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Senior defensive back Simeon Harris has been added to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award, the award that recognizes college football's defensive player of the year. Harris is one of 68 players selected to the preseason list from around the country. Last season, Harris was an honorable mention all-conference selection. He was second on the team in tackles, but led the Mountain West and was seventh nationally in interceptions (5). He started in all 13 games, and was a key piece to a Bulldog defense that ranked 10th in the FBS in total defense.
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Senior defensive lineman Deijon Laffitte was named to the Outland Trophy watch list, the award recognizing the top interior linemen in college football – both offensively and defensively. Laffitte is one of 68 players added to the preseason list. Laffitte was also an honorable mention selection last season, starting in all 11 games he was available for. He had 25 total tackles, but added 5.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks on the year.
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Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
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Wed., Aug. 5: John Mackey Award
Thu., Aug. 6: Rimington Trophy
Fri., Aug. 7: Lou Groza Award
Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
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For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
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Senior defensive back Simeon Harris has been added to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award, the award that recognizes college football's defensive player of the year. Harris is one of 68 players selected to the preseason list from around the country. Last season, Harris was an honorable mention all-conference selection. He was second on the team in tackles, but led the Mountain West and was seventh nationally in interceptions (5). He started in all 13 games, and was a key piece to a Bulldog defense that ranked 10th in the FBS in total defense.
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Senior defensive lineman Deijon Laffitte was named to the Outland Trophy watch list, the award recognizing the top interior linemen in college football – both offensively and defensively. Laffitte is one of 68 players added to the preseason list. Laffitte was also an honorable mention selection last season, starting in all 11 games he was available for. He had 25 total tackles, but added 5.0 TFL and 3.0 sacks on the year.
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Sixteen NCFAA members are unveiling preseason watch lists over a three-week period as the association spearheads a coordinated effort to promote each award's preseason candidates. Following is the remaining 2026 preseason watch list calendar:
Â
Wed., Aug. 5: John Mackey Award
Thu., Aug. 6: Rimington Trophy
Fri., Aug. 7: Lou Groza Award
Mon., Aug. 10: Paul Hornung Award
Tue., Aug. 11: Allstate Wuerffel Trophy
Wed., Aug. 12: Paycom Jim Thorpe Award
Thu., Aug. 13: Butkus Award
Fri., Aug. 14: Ray Guy Award
Mon., Aug. 17: Walter Camp Award
Tue., Aug. 18: Doak Walker Award
Wed., Aug. 19: Biletnikoff Award
Thu., Aug. 20: Davey O'Brien Award
Fri., Aug. 21: Bednarik Award
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For more information about the NCFAA and its award programs, visit NCFAA.org or follow on X at @NCFAA and Instagram @TheNCFAA.
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