University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: ANTHONY SORBELLINI
Rucker Named To 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
July 30, 2024 | Football
DALLAS, Texas -Â Kaimon Rucker has been named to the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America announced this afternoon.
Entering the 2024 season, Rucker has been recognized as a preseason All-American by both the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Phil Steele and is a nominee for the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
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Rucker, a 2023 All-ACC Second Team and 2023 AP All-ACC Second Team selection, returns to the Tar Heels after starting all 13 games last season and leading the team with 15 TFL, 8.5 sacks and 12 QB pressures.
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Last season, he earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for his efforts against South Carolina when he tallied eight tackles, two sacks and 5.5 TFL against the Gamecocks. In 2023, Rucker was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice.
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The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2024 trophy on Nov. 20 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 9 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
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The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the five finalists named in November. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
The FWAA has chosen 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.
Entering the 2024 season, Rucker has been recognized as a preseason All-American by both the Walter Camp Football Foundation and Phil Steele and is a nominee for the prestigious Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Â
Rucker, a 2023 All-ACC Second Team and 2023 AP All-ACC Second Team selection, returns to the Tar Heels after starting all 13 games last season and leading the team with 15 TFL, 8.5 sacks and 12 QB pressures.
Â
Last season, he earned Walter Camp National Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors for his efforts against South Carolina when he tallied eight tackles, two sacks and 5.5 TFL against the Gamecocks. In 2023, Rucker was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week twice.
Â
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2024 trophy on Nov. 20 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 9 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
Â
The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the five finalists named in November. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
The FWAA has chosen 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.
Players Mentioned
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