05/15/08 - Alphonso Smith, rSr, Wake Forest, 5-09, 192 (DS#5 CB) 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List: Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry and corner back Alphonso Smith have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy. The announcement was made this week by the Football Writers Association of America. The Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the nation's top defensive football player and is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Smith, a 5-9, 191-pound redshirt senior, was a first team All-ACC pick and a second team All-America in 2007 as he led the nation with eight interceptions. Like Curry, Smith returned three of those picks for touchdowns. He has 14 career interceptions to rank 16th in ACC history. Smith returned an interception against Maryland 100 yards for a score that set a school record and made him just the sixth ACC player in history to go the distance. Smith also earned ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors following the Maryland game. - Wake Forest Football
05/15/08 - Sen'Derrick Marks, rJr, Auburn, 6-1, 290 (DS#2 DT) Auburn junior defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks has been named to the 52nd annual Playboy Preseason All-American Football team. As part of making the team, Marks traveled to Phoenix last weekend (May 9-10) with the other members of the All-American team for a sports competition on Friday, team photo shoot on Saturday afternoon and an awards dinner on Saturday evening. The Mobile native is the first Auburn player to be named to the team since linebacker Karlos Dansby in 2003. A 6-1, 291-pounder, Marks has started in 26 consecutive games during his career, tallying 82 tackles, including 20.0 for loss and 5.5 quarterback sacks. As a sophomore in 2007, Marks had 43 tackles while starting all 13 games. He had nine tackles for loss including a pair of quarterback sacks, seven quarterback hurries, two pass break-ups, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and an interception. He also blocked two kicks. Marks was named on Monday to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Watch List and also the Outland Trophy Watch List last month. - Auburn Football
05/15/08 - Aaron Curry, rSr, Wake Forest, 6-3, 240 (DS#5 OLB) 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List: Wake Forest linebacker Aaron Curry and corner back Alphonso Smith have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy. The announcement was made this week by the Football Writers Association of America. The Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the nation's top defensive football player and is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Curry, a 6-3, 240-pound redshirt senior, was a second team All-ACC selection last year and was twice named ACC Player of the Week. He was second on the team with 99 tackles and the team leader with 13.5 tackles for loss. The native of Fayetteville, N.C. intercepted four passes and returned three of them for touchdowns. Curry led the nation in interception return yards and tied an NCAA record for the most interception returns for touchdown by a linebacker in a season with three. His 226 interception return yards were the most-ever for an ACC defender. - Wake Forest Football
05/15/08 - Derek Pegues, Sr, Mississippi State, 5-10, 196 (DS#3 FS) The Football Writers Association of America has announced that Mississippi State seniors Jamar Chaney and Derek Pegues have been named to the Watch List for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in college football. Pegues is a two-time all-SEC selection from Batesville, Miss., and has excelled both at his safety position and in the return game. He holds the Mississippi State school record with three interception returns for touchdown and ranks among the career top-10 of several Southeastern Conference kick and punt return records. Pegues has also pulled in 10 career interceptions, tied for fifth in the MSU record book. - Mississippi State Football
05/15/08 - Arthur Jones, rJr, Syracuse, 6-4, 296 (DS#5 DT) 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List: Syracuse University junior defensive tackle Arthur Jones is one of 88 collegiate football student-athletes on the 2008 Nagurski Trophy Watch List, announced by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). The Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the best defensive player in college football and sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, which will hold the 2008 banquet on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte. Former Syracuse All-American Dwight Freeney was a finalist for the award in 2001. Jones, who ranked ninth nationally with 17.5 tackles for loss in 2007, is one of 70 preseason candidates, including one of 18 underclassmen, announced the Outland Watch List. In his first season as a starter Jones earned second-team All-BIG EAST and ECAC All-Star honors last year. His 17.5 tackles for loss is the third-best single-season total in Syracuse history. - Syracuse Football
05/15/08 - Jan Jorgensen, rJr, BYU, 6-3, 256 (DS#34 DE) 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List: Jorgensen, who is also a candidate for the Rotary Lombardi Award and All-America honors, has started 26 straight games at defensive end. He earned both Academic All-Mountain West Conference and All-Mountain West Conference first-team honors last season. The 6-foot-3, 256-pound native of Helper, Utah led the MWC and ranked 12th nationally with 20 tackles for a combined loss of 115 yards. He also led the Mountain West and ranked among the nation's top-10 in sacks, recording 14 on the season for a combined loss of over 90 yards. Jorgensen was part of a defensive unit that allowed only one 100-yard rusher last season. - BYU Football
05/15/08 - Jamar Chaney, Sr, Mississippi State, 6-1, 236 (DS#17 ILB) The Football Writers Association of America has announced that Mississippi State seniors Jamar Chaney and Derek Pegues have been named to the Watch List for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in college football. Chaney, a linebacker from Fort Pierce, Fla., was the Bulldogs leading tackler in 2007 with 89. He has played in all 36 games in his career, earning 26 starts. Last season, Chaney started 12 games at his middle linebacker position, earning All-Southeastern Conference recognition by the league’s coaches. - Mississippi State Football
05/15/08 - Ian Campbell, rSr, Kansas State, 6-5, 245 (DS#7 OLB) 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List: Kansas State senior defensive end Ian Campbell is one of eight Big 12 defenders to be named to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, the Football Writers Association of America announced Monday. The Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best defensive player in college football, is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Campbell, a two-time team captain and All-Big 12 performer, enters his senior season as one of the top defensive linemen in school history and currently has 16.0 sacks and 28.5 tackles for loss over the last two seasons. The Cimarron native, who was also a candidate for the Nagurski Trophy a year ago, tied the single-season school record with 11.5 sacks in 2006 and currently needs just two more sacks to enter the school’s top 10 career list. Last season, Campbell totaled 45 tackles, including a team-best 11 tackles for loss and a Big 12-best four fumble recoveries. The defensive end also recorded 4.5 sacks and one interception, in which he returned for a score in a win at No. 7 Texas. - Kansas State Football
05/15/08 - Mike Mickens, Sr, Cincinnati, 6-0, 168 (DS#2 CB) 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List: Mickens, a 2007 Football Writers Association All-American, helped the Bearcats to a school-record 10-wins and a victory in the Papajohns.com Bowl. Mickens finished 2007 tied for third in the BIG EAST and 18th in the country with 12 passes defended (6 interceptions, 6 pass breakups) and is currently fourth in Cincinnati history with 10 career interceptions. The three-year starter returned two pickoffs for touchdowns last year, including a 79-yard dash at USF. Mickens captured first-team all-BIG EAST honors for his efforts in 2007 after two years as a second-team all-league member. - Cincinnati Football
05/15/08 - Daniel Holtzclaw, Sr, Eastern Michigan, 6-1, 245 (DS#9 ILB) 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List: Eastern Michigan University senior middle linebacker Daniel Holtzclaw (Enid, Ok.-Enid) has been selected to the Bronco Nagurski Trophy watch list for the 2008 season. He was named to the Rotary Lombardi Award preliminary watch list earlier this spring. The 6-foot-1, 246-pound Holtzclaw has started all 35 games at middle linebacker during his three-year EMU career. He has accumulated 330 tackles in his three seasons, good for 10th on the EMU career tackles list. He was a freshman All-American in 2005 and a first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection in 2007. Last year he finished third in the MAC and tied for 21st in the nation with his 125 tackles. - Eastern Michigan Football
05/15/08 - David Shields, rSr, Boise State, 6-1, 228 (DS#999 OLB) Boise State head football coach Chris Petersen announced that linebacker David Shields will miss his senior season because of continuing shoulder problems. Shields will use a medical hardship and remain on scholarship. He will stay with the team in an undetermined role through December when he expects to graduate. He won’t count towards the Broncos’ limit of 85 scholarships. Shields (St. Louis, Mo./Lafayette HS) was a part-time starter as both a sophomore and junior. He finished his career with 88 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 1.5 quarterback sacks. His best season was the 2006 season when he helped the Broncos to an undefeated record, capped by a win in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, with 44 tackles and five tackles for loss. - Boise State Football
05/15/08 - Anthony Dixon, Jr, Mississippi State, 6-1, 240 (DS#15 RB) STARS OF 2008: RB Anthony Dixon -- Dixon finished his sophomore season with 1,066 yards and 14 touchdown runs but coach Sylvester Croom will be the first to insist Dixon can be a lot more consistent and productive. Dixon is tough to stop when he's hitting the holes hard but he must stop dancing and do a better job protecting the ball.
05/15/08 - Charles Mitchell, Fr, Mississippi State, 5-11, 190 (DS#6 FS) TOP RECRUITS: DB Charles Mitchell, Clarksdale, Miss. -- The No. 4 prospect on The Clarion-Ledger Most Wanted List and the Gatorade player of the year in Mississippi, Mitchell chose the Bulldogs over Nebraska and Southern Miss. State needs help at cornerback so Mitchell could see some playing time this fall.
05/15/08 - Mike Brown, rSr, Mississippi State, 6-5, 300 (DS#27 OT) Coach Sylvester Croom has brought a large measure of stability to the program in his 4 1/2 years on the job and off-field incidents had become few and far between until starting OT Michael Brown and reserve DT Quinton Wesley were arrested for assault and gun charges and kicked off the team two days before the spring game. Of the two departed players, Brown will be the hardest to replace because of his experience at left tackle. However, with Brown entering his senior season, State coaches already had a plan in place for next season and simply decided to move into fast forward by moving sophomore Derek Sherrod from right tackle to the left side and moving sophomore Mark Melichar into the starting lineup at right tackle.
05/15/08 - Derek Pegues, Sr, Mississippi State, 5-10, 196 (DS#3 FS) STARS OF 2008: FS-KR Derek Pegues -- Whether he's making tackles or interceptions or breaking big returns, Pegues is one of State's most important and valuable players. The coaches will expect even more from him as a senior in 2008.
05/15/08 - Anthony Johnson, Jr, Mississippi State, 5-10, 194 (DS#15 CB) Anthony Johnson emerged as a big-play cornerback in 2007, returning two interceptions for touchdowns, but suffered a broken left ankle against Ole Miss on Nov. 23. He should be able to return by spring practice but might be limited to non-contact work.
05/15/08 - K.J. Wright, So, Mississippi State, 6-3, 218 (DS#99 OLB) SPRING MOVERS: OLB K.J. Wright -- The coaches considered Wright to be mature for a sophomore so they put him in a position to earn a starting job and he responded with a strong spring.
05/15/08 - Robert Elliott, rFr, Mississippi State, 6-0, 195 (DS#18 RB) SPRING MOVERS: RB Robert Elliot -- Anthony Dixon and Christian Ducre can pound the ball but the Bulldogs need more big plays. In the spring, Elliot showed the potential to be able to get loose for long gains.
05/15/08 - Anthony Dixon, Jr, Mississippi State, 6-1, 240 (DS#15 RB) When RB Anthony Dixon ran north and south last fall, he gave the Bulldogs a physical presence in the running game. Despite a limited passing game to loosen up opposing defenses, Dixon was seventh in the SEC last season with 1,066 yards on 287 carries and 14 TDs.
05/15/08 - Derek Pegues, Sr, Mississippi State, 5-10, 196 (DS#3 FS) FS Derek Pegues has spent the past two seasons making big plays as a defensive back and returner and returns for his senior season after earning first-team All-SEC honors and making 50 tackles, five interceptions and seven pass deflections last season.
05/15/08 - Robert Elliott, rFr, Mississippi State, 6-0, 195 (DS#18 RB) With junior Anthony Dixon limited following offseason knee surgery, redshirt freshman Robert Elliott is getting a chance to show what he can do. Elliott was a highly regarded signee for the Bulldogs but still has a lot to prove.
05/15/08 - Trevor Stigers, Fr, Mississippi State, 6-4, 225 (DS#99 DE) TOP NEWCOMERS: DL Trevor Stigers -- At 6-4, 225 pounds, Stigers doesn't have Hardy's size but he has the speed to rush off the edge and the frame to add more size and strength.
05/15/08 - Templeton Hardy, Fr, Mississippi State, 6-3, 295 (DS#99 DT) TOP NEWCOMERS: DL Templeton Hardy -- Hardy ranked as high as eighth among the nation's defensive tackles and third among the state's best prospects. At 6-3, 295, he's big enough to hold his ground inside but still quick enough to make plays upfield.
05/15/08 - Charles Mitchell, Fr, Mississippi State, 5-11, 190 (DS#6 FS) TOP NEWCOMERS: DB Charles Mitchell -- State needs help at cornerback so Mitchell, the No. 4 prospect on The Clarion-Ledger Most Wanted List and the Gatorade Player of the Year in Mississippi, could see some playing time this fall.
05/15/08 - Jamar Chaney, Sr, Mississippi State, 6-1, 236 (DS#17 ILB) STARS OF 2008: LB Jamar Chaney -- His move from outside to the middle in 2007 was often limited by nagging injuries but Chaney finished strong and showed that he can be a key player in a much-improved defense.
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