Three Iowa Hawkeyes named to Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Not one, not two, but three.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have found themselves with three players on the preseason watch list for the Nagurski Trophy. The trio includes Nick Jackson, Jay Higgins, and Sebastian Castro.

The Nagurski Trophy is awarded each year to the nation’s most outstanding college defensive football player. The Football Writers Association of America and Charlotte Touchdown Club present the award.

Created in 1993 by the Football Writers Association of America, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the best defensive player in college football and is presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The award was established to complement the Heisman Trophy Award, which at the time had never been presented to a defensive player. – Charlotte Touchdown Club

Xavier Watts of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish won the award last year and once again finds himself on the watch list for those in contention. The Iowa Hawkeyes have not had a player be awarded the Nagurski Trophy since its inception.

Of those seeking the award for the Hawkeyes for the first time, they have a good chance as all three are starters that are returning for on more year as opposed to the NFL draft.

Nick Jackson and Jay Higgins combine to make Iowa’s stout linebacking group that is being regarded among the best, if not the very best in America. Sebastian Castro makes up part of Iowa’s secondary and is looking to build on his 2023 breakout season.

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