CHARLOTTE, N.C. – University of Arizona sophomore linebacker Scooby Wright III was awarded the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player, by the Charlotte Touchdown Club Monday night. Wright is Arizona’s second Bronko Nagurski Trophy honoree with Rob Waldrop winning the award in 1993.
"I want to say thank you all to my teammates and coaches," Wright said. "Football is a team game. I accept this on behalf of the Arizona football program."
"I am excited for Scooby," Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez said. "He epitomizes what our program is about. He has a chip on his shoulder, he loves the game and is a good teammate. One of the reasons his numbers are so high is because of his effort. You want everybody to do that, but it comes to Scooby naturally. He plays with a sense of urgency on every snap."
With finalists Malcom Brown of Texas, Landon Collins of Alabama, Senquez Golson of Ole Miss, Gerod Holliman of Louisville, Wright was honored at a reception and awards dinner on Monday at the Charlotte Westin. Head coach Rich and Rita Rodriguez, defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel and his wife, Rosie, and members of the Wright family were in attendance. Alabama head coach Nick Saban was the featured speaker.
Through 13 games, Wright has 153 total tackles, 28.0 tackles for a loss, 14.0 sacks and six forced fumbles, all team highs. The Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection, Wright ranks in the top five among FBS players for total tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles. He’s the only FBS player to rank in the top 25 of each of those categories. Further, Wright is vying to become the first player since 1999 to finish the season ranked in the top five for tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. When Rich Rodriguez was offensive coordinator at Clemson in 1999, linebacker Keith Adams achieved the feat for the Tigers, according to research provided by STATS. Adams finished second in total tackles (186), first in tackles for loss (35.0) and tied for third in sacks (16.0).
Wright will travel to Houston, Texas for the Rotary Lombardi Award event on Wednesday and to Orlando, Fla. for the ESPN College Football Awards show on Thursday.
The Wildcats’ VIZIO Fiesta Bowl game with Boise State will be played Wed., Dec. 31, at 2 p.m. MT and will air on ESPN. For continued coverage of Arizona football, follow the team on Facebook at facebook.com/ArizonaFootball and on Twitter @ArizonaFBall.
