Bronko Nagurski Trophy

Given every year since 1993 to the best defensive player, chosen by the Football Writers Association of America. Alabama has won it most, three times (two players). Will Anderson Jr. and Pat Fitzgerald won it twice. Share

Every winner

Season	Player	Position		School
2025	Jacob Rodriguez	LB		Texas Tech
2024	Kyle Kennard	DE		South Carolina
2023	Xavier Watts	S		Notre Dame
2022	Will Anderson Jr.	LB		Alabama
2021	Will Anderson Jr.	LB		Alabama
2020	Zaven Collins	LB		Tulsa
2019	Chase Young	DE		Ohio State
2018	Josh Allen	LB		Kentucky
2017	Bradley Chubb	DE		NC State
2016	Jonathan Allen	DE		Alabama
2015	Tyler Matakevich	LB		Temple
2014	Scooby Wright	LB		Arizona
2013	Aaron Donald	DT		Pittsburgh
2012	Manti Teʻo	LB		Notre Dame
2011	Luke Kuechly	LB		Boston College
2010	Da’Quan Bowers	DE		Clemson
2009	Ndamukong Suh	DT		Nebraska
2008	Brian Orakpo	DE		Texas
2007	Glenn Dorsey	DT		LSU
2006	James Laurinaitis	LB		Ohio State
2005	Elvis Dumervil	DE		Louisville
2004	Derrick Johnson	LB		Texas
2003	Derrick Strait	CB		Oklahoma
2002	Terrell Suggs	DE		Arizona State
2001	Roy Williams	SS		Oklahoma
2000	Dan Morgan	LB		Miami (FL)
1999	Corey Moore	DE		Virginia Tech
1998	Champ Bailey	CB		Georgia
1997	Charles Woodson	CB		Michigan
1996	Pat Fitzgerald	LB		Northwestern
1995	Pat Fitzgerald	LB		Northwestern
1994	Warren Sapp	DT		Miami (FL)
1993	Rob Waldrop	DT		Arizona

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, free licenses; credits on each player’s page.