TUCSON, Ariz. – Arizona football defensive back Tacario Davis and linebacker Jacob Manu named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list while offensive lineman Jonah Savaiinaea has been selected to Outland Trophy watch list, as announced today by the FWAA.

Davis and Manu were named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list for the first time and Jonah Savaiinaea made a repeat appearance on the Outland Trophy watch list. The Nagurski Trophy honors the nation's best defensive player, and the Outland Trophy honors the nation's best offensive lineman.

Davis adds the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list to a growing list of preseason accolades, including All-Big 12 Team, Athlon Sports All-American, and Phil Steele All-American. He earns these honors after leading the Pac-12 with 15 pass breakups and 16 passes defended in 2023.

Manu adds the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list to a growing list of preseason accolades, including All-Big 12 Team and Athlon Sports All-American. He led the Pac-12 with 116 total tackles and earned AP First-Team All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 First-Team honors following the 2023 season.

Savaiinaea adds the Outland Trophy watch list to his preseason honors list, including Athlon Sports All-American, Phil Steele All-American, and All-Big 12 Team. He was selected to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list for the second consecutive year. Savaiinaea earned All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention following the 2023 season.

Arizona opens the 2024 season on Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. MST against New Mexico on ESPN.

BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2024 trophy on Nov. 20 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 9 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.  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. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from the five finalists named in November. By individual ballot, committee members select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
 
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.
 
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
 
OUTLAND TROPHY
The FWAA will announce the Outland Trophy semifinalists on Nov. 20, and those players will then be paired down to three finalists announced on Nov. 26. The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from those finalists who will be part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.
 
The Outland Trophy, celebrating 79 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
 
The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA includes college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients dating back to 1935. This season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.