The University of Akron Athletics
Akron’s Gilbert Named to Bronko Nagurski Watch List
July 24 | Football
Follow Akron Football on Facebook and Twitter
2018 Season Tickets
2018 Bronko Nagurski Watch List
DALLAS– Akron senior linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) has been named to the Watch List for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced on Tuesday.
"It's just a blessing to be recognized with all of the top talent in the nation," Gilbert said.
The preseason Watch List recognizes 97 defensive standouts from 61 schools in all 10 Division I FBS conferences on a roster that includes three returning players from last season's FWAA All-America team.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those five finalists. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
This year's watch list includes at least four players from each of the 10 FBS conferences. The SEC (16) leads the 97-member list with the Big Ten (15) right behind. The ACC (13) and Pac-12 (12) also have double-digit representation, followed by the Big 12 (9), American Athletic and Mountain West (7), Conference USA and Independents (5), and the Mid-American and Sun Belt (4).
The list includes 27 backs, 26 linebackers, 24 ends and 20 tackles.
A two-time first-team All- Mid-American Conference honoree and two-time team Defensive MVP, Gilbert is a 2018 preseason first-team All-MAC selection. In 2017, Gilbert started all 14 games at Will linebacker. UA's top defender had 141 tackles, 58 more tackles than the next Zip. He had 9.5 TFL, a team-best five sacks, three interceptions, four break-ups, and five hurries. Gilbert scored two touchdowns last fall, one on an interception return and another on a fumble recovery. He earned both MAC Defensive Player of the Week and Summa Health Student-Athlete of the Week honors twice during the season. Gilbert has also been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List.
Under the guidance of seventh-year head coach Terry Bowden, Akron returns 58 letterwinners, including 15 starters, to its spread offense and 4-3 defense. Akron opens the 2018 season at Nebraska on Saturday, Sept. 1. The game will kick off on FOX at 8 p.m. ET. Akron hosts Morgan State in the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all home games and the "I Love the 90's" concert as well as a parking pass— start at only $60 each. As a season ticket holder, fans have the ability to purchase tickets for road games at Nebraska, Northwestern, and Iowa State.
To request tickets, please contact the Athletics Ticket Office by calling or texting 1-888-99-AKRON during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or purchase the deposit online at www.GoZips.com.
2018 Season Tickets
2018 Bronko Nagurski Watch List
DALLAS– Akron senior linebacker Ulysees Gilbert III (Ocala, Fla.) has been named to the Watch List for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced on Tuesday.
"It's just a blessing to be recognized with all of the top talent in the nation," Gilbert said.
The preseason Watch List recognizes 97 defensive standouts from 61 schools in all 10 Division I FBS conferences on a roster that includes three returning players from last season's FWAA All-America team.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those five finalists. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
This year's watch list includes at least four players from each of the 10 FBS conferences. The SEC (16) leads the 97-member list with the Big Ten (15) right behind. The ACC (13) and Pac-12 (12) also have double-digit representation, followed by the Big 12 (9), American Athletic and Mountain West (7), Conference USA and Independents (5), and the Mid-American and Sun Belt (4).
The list includes 27 backs, 26 linebackers, 24 ends and 20 tackles.
A two-time first-team All- Mid-American Conference honoree and two-time team Defensive MVP, Gilbert is a 2018 preseason first-team All-MAC selection. In 2017, Gilbert started all 14 games at Will linebacker. UA's top defender had 141 tackles, 58 more tackles than the next Zip. He had 9.5 TFL, a team-best five sacks, three interceptions, four break-ups, and five hurries. Gilbert scored two touchdowns last fall, one on an interception return and another on a fumble recovery. He earned both MAC Defensive Player of the Week and Summa Health Student-Athlete of the Week honors twice during the season. Gilbert has also been named to the Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List.
Under the guidance of seventh-year head coach Terry Bowden, Akron returns 58 letterwinners, including 15 starters, to its spread offense and 4-3 defense. Akron opens the 2018 season at Nebraska on Saturday, Sept. 1. The game will kick off on FOX at 8 p.m. ET. Akron hosts Morgan State in the home opener on Saturday, Sept. 8, at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN+.
Season ticket plans—which include a ticket to all home games and the "I Love the 90's" concert as well as a parking pass— start at only $60 each. As a season ticket holder, fans have the ability to purchase tickets for road games at Nebraska, Northwestern, and Iowa State.
To request tickets, please contact the Athletics Ticket Office by calling or texting 1-888-99-AKRON during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) or purchase the deposit online at www.GoZips.com.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ FootballWednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
