The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
No. 24 Football’s Ford named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week
11.08.2022 | Football
Junior LB Jaylan Ford recorded 10 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in Saturday’s win at Kansas State.
DALLAS – Texas junior linebacker Jaylan Ford was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, the Football Writers Association of America announced on Tuesday.
Ford had a game-high 10 tackles (six solo), one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the Longhorns victory at No. 13 Kansas State on Saturday. His second quarter interception was returned 18 yards to the K-State 27-yard line, setting up a touchdown helped UT take a 31-10 lead into the half. His fumble recovery occurred with 24 seconds remaining in the game, recovering a loose ball knocked out by Keondre Coburn to clinch the victory for Texas.
The Frisco, Texas native also earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in Manhattan, the second time this season he has earned the accolade. Ford currently leads the Big 12 in tackles (82/9.1pg), forced fumbles (3) and fumble recoveries (2). Over the last three games, Ford has two interceptions, both resulting in touchdown drives late in the first half, and two fumble recoveries that sealed the last two Texas victories.
He is the fourth Longhorn to earn the weekly Bronko Nagurski award and first since Oct. 31, 2020, when edge rusher Joseph Ossai earned it following a win at then No. 6 Oklahoma State. Texas has a well-represented past with the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Cedric Reed (2014), Aaron Ross (2006) and Derrick Johnson (2003) also won earlier weekly awards. Former Longhorns Brian Orakpo (DE, 2008) and Derrick Johnson (LB, 2004) are previous winners of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and defensive tackle Malcom Brown was a finalist in 2014.
Each week during the regular season, the FWAA has selected a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week since 2001. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 16. The national defensive player of the year will be chosen from those finalists who are part of the 2022 FWAA All-America Team and presented with the trophy at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 5 at the Charlotte Convention Center. N.C. State head coach Dave Doeren will be the keynote speaker.
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.
