Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List (2026)

The following post features the Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List (2026).

Some college football teams have a defensive playmaker capable of making impact plays all over the field. These are the defenders you need to know about when following the Bronko Nagurski Trophy race and betting on college football.

Read: Lou Groza Award Watch List

Related: Davey O’Brien Award Watch List

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List features the top defensive players in college football heading into the 2026 NCAAF season.

So, who are the best defensive players in 2026? Here’s what you need to know.

Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List (2026)

Below is a table displaying the linebackers on the 2026 Bronko Naguski Award Watch List. Click here for the official Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List.

Preseason Player Spotlights

Leonard Moore – Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Leonard Moore enters 2026 widely regarded as the top defensive player in the country after a unanimous All-American campaign that featured elite coverage grades, multiple interceptions, and shutdown ability. A true lockdown corner with the instincts and physicality to erase receivers, Moore has the production and reputation to make a serious run at the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation’s outstanding defensive player.

Colin Simmons – Texas Longhorns

Colin Simmons returns as one of the most dominant edge rushers in college football after leading the SEC in sacks and posting elite pressure numbers in 2025. With explosive first-step quickness, relentless motor, and the ability to disrupt both the run and pass, Simmons is positioned to terrorize opposing offenses and contend for national defensive player of the year honors.

Dylan Stewart – South Carolina Gamecocks

Dylan Stewart continues to rank among the premier edge defenders in the country after consistent high-level production in tackles for loss and sacks across his first two seasons. A disruptive force with length, athleticism, and pass-rush ability, Stewart has the tools to post another standout year and push for Bronko Nagurski recognition as one of the top overall defenders.

Whit Weeks – LSU Tigers

Whit Weeks returns healthy for his senior season looking to build on prior All-SEC production as a high-volume tackling machine and playmaker. A physical, instinctive linebacker with leadership and the ability to impact the game against the run and in coverage, Weeks has the experience and skill set to re-establish himself among the nation’s elite defensive players.

KJ Bolden – Georgia Bulldogs

KJ Bolden is a versatile safety in Georgia’s loaded secondary with the range, physicality, and ball skills expected from Bulldog defensive backs. Positioned for a larger role in 2026, Bolden has the athleticism and competitive toughness to make plays all over the field and emerge as a legitimate contender for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

Rasheem Biles – Texas Longhorns

Rasheem Biles returns as a key piece of Texas’s defense after strong production and preseason All-SEC recognition. A physical, instinctive linebacker capable of diagnosing plays quickly and delivering impact tackles, Biles has the skill set and opportunity in a talented unit to produce at a high level and challenge for national defensive player honors.

Bronko Nagurski Award

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the top defensive player in NCAA Division I FBS football. The process begins with a preseason watch list of leading defensive candidates. A selection committee evaluates players throughout the season, considering their performance, consistency, and impact on the field. The committee then selects finalists before conducting a final vote to determine the winner. The college winner is announced during the College Football Awards show in December.

Bronko Nagurski Award Winner (by Year)

Click here for the Bronko Nagurski Award Winner by year.