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The preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award, which honors the national defensive player of the year, includes three returning IU football players.
Linebacker Aiden Fisher, defensive lineman Mikail Kimara and defensive back D’Angelo Ponds are among the 60 players named to the watch list announced Tuesday afternoon.
Here’s part of the release issued by the Football Writers Association of America:
DALLAS (FWAA) – The Football Writers Association of America released its 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List today, selecting three returning FWAA All-Americans among 60 defensive standouts as contenders for the national defensive player of the year. The list contains players from 41 different schools in eight Division I FBS conferences plus Independents.
Six of the top 15 leaders in sacks from a year ago, a player whose total tackles were second in the nation along with one of the top interception leaders highlight the list that has just over half of its selections from the Southeastern (18) and Big Ten (14) Conferences.
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce four finalists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy in mid-to-late November, and the winner will be revealed at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 8 in Charlotte, N.C.
The three returning FWAA All-Americans all hail from the Big Ten with two from Indiana, part of a Hoosiers trio on the list. Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher was 22nd nationally last season with 9.6 tackles per game and earning first-team FWAA honors while spearheading the nation’s surprise team from the defensive side along with teammate and second-team safety D’Angelo Ponds. Caleb Downs, the outstanding safety for defending College Football Playoff National Champion Ohio State, was also a first-teamer. Indiana defensive end Mikail Kamara, one of the country’s top sack artists last year, and Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles complete their teams’ listings among the five Big Ten schools that have at least two representatives (Oregon with three, Illinois and Penn State with two each). Minnesota’s Koi Perich, who tied for fourth in the nation last season with five interceptions, is another top safety and, along with Downs and Ponds, are three of only eight safeties to make the list.
By position, the list includes 21 linebackers, 11 defensive ends/edge rushers, 10 cornerbacks, 10 defensive tackles and the eight safeties.
Catching eyes in the preseason. pic.twitter.com/D8ppJKOo9r
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) July 29, 2025
(Photo credit: IU Athletics)
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