Kansas football cornerback Cobee Bryant became the first Jayhawk to be nominated for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List since Daniel Wise in 2018.
The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) unveiled the list of 94 NCAA Division I players noted on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. For the first time in the 2020s, a member of the Kansas Jayhawks was selected — junior cornerback Cobee Bryant.
The Nagurski Trophy is annually awarded to the best defensive player in college football. Alabama’s Will Anderson Jr. had won it the last two seasons, becoming the first back-to-back prizewinner since recently ousted Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald did in 1995 and 1996.
Bryant, a 3-star recruit out of high school, has become one of the best defensive players in recent Kansas football history. In 2022, he recorded 32 solo tackles, 12 passes defended, and three interceptions — one that he returned for a walk-off pick-six versus West Virginia in overtime.
After receiving All-Big 12 First Team honors last year, he was once again elected to the Preseason All-Big 12 First Team by Big 12 media members. He was one of four Jayhawks to be recognized on the first team.
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Alongside corners Mello Dotson and Damarius McGhee, Bryant will look to be the pillar of a Kansas football defense that struggled tremendously last season. Defensive backs coach Jordan Peterson has spoken highly of him during summer practices, stating that Bryant looks better than ever on the field.
#kufball's Cobee Bryant is on the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. https://t.co/kaVXkQUU4A
— Jordan Guskey (@JordanGuskey) August 1, 2023
Once the regular season concludes, the FWAA nominates five standout defensive players as finalists for the Nagurski Trophy. The last Jayhawk to be named a finalist was legend fellow defensive back Aqib Talib in 2007 in KU’s magical Orange Bowl-winning season, but he ultimately did not take him the award.
Although the chances of Bryant winning the award are little to none, it’s fantastic to see KU players getting the recognition they deserve.
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