Calmus Named To Bronko Nagurski Trophy 2001 Watch List

April 10, 2001

The Charlotte (N.C.) Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of America have announced the 2001 watch list of candidates for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top defensive college player. Among the 12 candidates is University of Oklahoma All-American linebacker Rocky Calmus, previous Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists Levar Fisher, a linebacker from North Carolina State University, and John Henderson, a defensive tackle from the University of Tennessee. Miami University Linebacker Dan Morgan was the 2000 trophy winner.

Calmus, who led the national champion Sooners in tackles with 125 overall, ended the 2000 season as runner-up to Morgan for the Butkus Award, which is presented annually to the best college linebacker.

The award, named after Hall of Famer and University of Minnesota and Chicago Bear star Bronko Nagurski, recognizes the best all-around defensive players throughout the year with the Bronko Nagurski Player of the Week. In November, five finalists will be selected and the trophy will be presented to the winner at a banquet Dec. 3 in Charlotte.

The 2001 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list includes:

Player	School	Position

Billy Silva	Northwestern University	Linebacker

Josh Thornhill	Michigan State University	Linbebacker

Ben Taylor	Virginia Tech University	Linebacker

Levar Fisher	N.C. State University	Linebacker

Rocky Calmus	University of Oklahoma	Linebacker

Edward Reed	Miami University	Safety

Rashad Bauman	UCLA	Cornerback

Julius Peppers	University of North Carolina	Defensive End

Alex Brown	University of Florida	Defensive End

Larry Tripplett	University of Washington	Defensive Tackle

John Henderson	University of Tennessee	Defensive Tackle

Michael Lewis	University of Colorado	Defensive Back

The 800-member Football Writers Association of America selects the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list candidates, identifies the players of the week and names the trophy winner. The Charlotte Touchdown Club, a non-profit organization that raises funds for scholarships, has presented the trophy each year since 1995.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Calmus Named To Bronko Nagurski Trophy 2001 Watch List

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