UW football: Shaughnessy on Nagurski watch list
University of Wisconsin senior defensive end Matt Shaughnessy has been named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award, the top honor for defensive players in college football.
He is one of 88 players on the early list for the award, which is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Shaughnessy was a consensus second-team All-Big Ten selection and UW's defensive MVP last season after finishing fourth in the league with 18 tackles for loss. He led all UW defensive linemen with 60 tackles and was named co-Big Ten defensive player of the week after recording seven tackles, including 2 TFLs, in Wisconsin's win over Michigan.
Shaughnessy, who has started 26 consecutive games at defensive end for Wisconsin, suffered a broken bone in his right leg during spring practice but is expected to be back for the start of fall camp. He joins linebacker Jonathan Casillas (Lott Trophy) and offensive lineman Kraig Urbik (Outland Trophy) as Badgers players that appear on preseason watch lists.
The Football Writers Association of America All-America Committee selects the winner from the association's 11-man All-America defensive team in November. The list was developed by the FWAA All-America committee with the help of the schools and conferences.
Michelle Stocker/The Capital Times
Matt Shaughnessy is on the preseason list for college football's top defensive award.
