April 10, 2001
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Charlotte Touchdown Club and Football Writers Association of American announced today the 2001 watch list of candidates for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Northwestern senior linebacker Billy Silva is one of the 12 candidates.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top defensive college player. The award, named after Hall of Famer 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 the banquet Dec. 3 in Charlotte.
Silva joins 11 other defensive standouts from around the country vying for the trophy. Last year, Miami University Linebacker Dan Morgan was the trophy winner.
The 2001 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list:
Billy Silva Northwestern University Linebacker
Josh Thornhill Michigan State University Linebacker
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