Pair of Hogs on Watch List for Nagurski Trophy
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas defensive back Jalen Catalon and linebacker Bumper Pool were named to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
It is presented annually to the best defensive player in college football.
Catalon and Pool are two of 85 defensive standouts on this year’s watch list.
The Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2022 trophy on Nov. 16, and the winner will be unveiled on Dec. 5 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
Razorbacks safety Jalen Catalon reacts after a defensive play in the 40-21 win over Texas last September. (Walt Beazley / Arkansas Communications)
Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season.
As in previous years, the FWAA will announce a National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week’s honored player will be added at that time.
Catalon enters the 2022 campaign as one of the nation’s top defensive backs despite missing most of last year due to a season-ending injury.
The Mansfield, Texas, native finished eighth on the team in total tackles (46) with 1.5 tackles for loss despite playing in only six games. His four pass breakups tied for third most on the Razorbacks.
Arkansas Communications
Pool, meanwhile, led the Hogs in total tackles with 125 (45 solo), his second consecutive season with 100+ total tackles.
The Lucas, Texas, native is one of college football’s premier tackling machines, totaling the second-most stops (320) among all FBS defenders since 2019, and enters the 2022 campaign with 349 career tackles — ninth most all-time at Arkansas — to his name.
Arkansas kicks off the season at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 3, against Cincinnati on ESPN.
HOGS FEED:
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KYLER MURRAY APPARENTLY GOING TO HAVE TO START STUDYING
BUMPER POOL'S DRIVE TO BE ALL-TIME LEADING TACKLER FOR HOGS
HOW DID PITTMAN RANK IN TERMS OF ENTERTAINMENT AT SEC MEDIA DAYS?
ALL-AMERICAN SAFETY JALEN CATALON ON INJURY LAST YEAR, LOOKING AHEAD TO SEASON
HOGS' BUMPER POOL ON COMING BACK FOR BONUS SEASON TO LEAVE PROGRAM BETTER
SAM PITTMAN DOESN'T THINK HOGS HAVE ARRIVED ... AND THEY HAVEN'T
HOW TENNESSEE ACTUALLY MADE A WORSE HIRE THAN CHAD MORRIS IN 2017
IF NICK SABAN IS RELYING ON CONGRESS TO FIX NIL, HE MAY BE IN TROUBLE
KJ JEFFERSON GETS ANOTHER BIT OF MOTIVATION WITH SNUB AT SEC MEDIA DAYS
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