University of Notre Dame senior linebacker J.D. Bertrand and sophomore cornerback Benjamin Morrison are among the 90 college football players named to the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, which is presented to the top defensive player in college football by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
Bertrand led the Irish with 82 total tackles in 2022, following up on his 101 team-leading total in 2021. He piled up 8.5 tackles for loss in ‘22 as well.
Morrison was one of the late-season breakout stars of college football in 2022, picking off two interceptions and returning one 96 yards for a touchdown in Notre Dame’s 35-14 romp over No. 5 Clemson.
The rookie then claimed a share of the Notre Dame single-game record with three interceptions in a shutout win over Boston College, including two interceptions in the first quarter. He then capped his outstanding freshman year with an interception in the Gator Bowl victory over South Carolina.
Morrison appeared in all 13 games in 2022, starting nine and finishing the year with 33 tackles, 22 solo stops and four pass break ups.
Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. As in previous years, 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.
Manti Te’o is the only Notre Dame football player to earn the Nagurski Trophy in 2012.
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.