Oregon State CB Nelson on Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Steven Nelson, who transferred to Oregon State in 2013, earned a starting spot five games into last season.

Oregon State cornerback Steven Nelson has been named to the 2014 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, released Thursday by the Football Writers Association of America. Photo Courtesy: Oregon State Athletics

(CORVALLIS, Ore ) - Oregon State cornerback Steven Nelson has been named to the 2014 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, released Thursday by the Football Writers Association of America.

Nelson is among 17 players from the Pac-12 Conference and 81 overall nominated for the best defensive player in America.

Nelson, who transferred to Oregon State in 2013, earned a starting spot five games into last season. He recorded six interceptions on the season to tie for second in the nation including a game-winning touchdown return in the waning moments at San Diego State. He led the Beavers’ cornerbacks with 62 tackles despite starting only nine games and earned Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mention.

Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. Once again, the FWAA will choose a Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday throughout the season. If not already on the watch list, the honored player will be added at that time. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2014 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 20.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those five finalists who are part of the 2014 FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s entire membership, selects the 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner.

The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be held Dec. 8 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte. In addition to the 2014 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner announcement, the banquet will also celebrate the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award, sponsored by Florida East Coast Railway.

The FWAA has named 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.

Beaver Preseason Watch Lists (as of July 10)

Michael Doctor, Sr., LB – Lott IMPACT Trophy (top defender) Connor Hamlett, Sr., TE – John Mackey Award (top tight end) Sean Mannion, Sr., QB – Maxwell Award (top player) Lott Trophy (top defender) Steven Nelson, Sr., CB – Bronko Nagurski Trophy (top defender) Isaac Seumalo, Jr., C – Rimington Trophy (top center), Outland Trophy (top interior lineman)

Oregon State returns to the practice field in preparation for the upcoming season Aug. 4 with the season opener Aug. 30 at Reser Stadium against Portland State on Pac-12 Networks.

Source: Oregon State Athletics

Tweet

Follow @OregonNews