There are just two weeks left of the regular season. The shortlists for awards have been coming out left and right. With a plethora of semifinalist lists already dropped, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists have been announced. The FWAA has chosen the Bronko Nagurski 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 before starring for the Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Throughout the season, players have been highlighted for their stellar play on the field, and now, four finalists have been recognized. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is up for the top defensive honor. He will have to beat out Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, and Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell to win his first national award.
Ohio State Star Safety Named Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalist
Downs has been one of the top defenders in college football ever since stepping on the field as a true freshman at Alabama. In 2023, he led the Crimson Tide with 107 tackles with three-and-a-half tackles for loss, four pass breakups, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and two interceptions. When Nick Saban retired, he jumped into the transfer portal and found a new home at Ohio State.
Last year, Downs continued developing as an elite defender. On the year, he finished with 82 tackles with seven-and-a-half tackles for loss, a half sack, six pass breakups, and a pair of interceptions. He also added a punt return touchdown in the win over Indiana. While leading the Buckeyes to a national title, Downs was named the Big Ten’s Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year. Nationally, Downs was a unanimous first-team All-American and was a finalist for the Bednarik Award, Thorpe Award, and Lott IMPACT Trophy.
This season, it has been more of the same. One of the surest tacklers in the country, Downs’ impact is rarely illustrated on the statsheet. In terms of counting stats through 10 games, Downs has 46 tackles, four tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and two interceptions.
Downs is also a semifinalist for the Benarik Award, Thorpe Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, and Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
If Downs were to win the Bronko Nagurski Award, he would be the third Buckeye to do so, joining James Laurinaitis (2006) and Chase Young (2019).
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