Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Ryan Kuttler/Northwestern Athletics
Mueller Tabbed to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
7/30/2024 11:00:00 AM | Football
DALLAS – Northwestern graduate linebacker Xander Mueller has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, as announced by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
Last season, Mueller was named All-Big Ten Third Team and totaled 110 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, three interceptions, two passes broken up, and one forced fumble. He finished fourth in the conference in total tackles and eighth in tackles for loss, leading the Wildcats in stops behind the line of scrimmage for the second straight year. He became the first Wildcat since at least 2000 to post 100+ tackles, 5.0+ sacks and 3+ interceptions in the same season, and just the third player in the Big Ten since 2000. Against Iowa, he notched a career-high 19 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one pass broken up. Mueller's three interceptions were the most by a Big Ten linebacker since Northwestern's Blake Gallagher had three in 2019.
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.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
One of the nation's best ??
— Northwestern Football (@NUFBFamily) July 30, 2024
Xander Mueller has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. pic.twitter.com/uMAxd9rpAO
Last season, Mueller was named All-Big Ten Third Team and totaled 110 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, three interceptions, two passes broken up, and one forced fumble. He finished fourth in the conference in total tackles and eighth in tackles for loss, leading the Wildcats in stops behind the line of scrimmage for the second straight year. He became the first Wildcat since at least 2000 to post 100+ tackles, 5.0+ sacks and 3+ interceptions in the same season, and just the third player in the Big Ten since 2000. Against Iowa, he notched a career-high 19 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one pass broken up. Mueller's three interceptions were the most by a Big Ten linebacker since Northwestern's Blake Gallagher had three in 2019.
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.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
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