Tae Hayes Named To Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

BOONE, N.C. — ­­The preseason watch list for the 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is given to the best defensive player in college football, includes Appalachian State senior cornerback Tae Hayes.
 
Hayes is moving forward from a 2017 season in which he recorded four interceptions, 16 passes defended (ranking 18th nationally), 53 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and one forced fumble. He tied a school record with three interceptions against New Mexico State and earned All-Sun Belt first-team honors from the PFF College Football Site.
 
Hayes, a native of Decatur, Ala., played in 39 games and made 20 starts in his first three seasons.
 
Of the 97 players on the watch list, he is one of 27 defensive backs and one of four players from the Sun Belt Conference.
 
The Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 14.

 

2018 BRONKO NAGURSKI TROPHY PRESEASON WATCH LIST (97)
LB Dakota Allen, Texas Tech	DB Tyler Horton, Boise State
DE Zach Allen, Boston College	LB Khaleke Hudson, Michigan
LB Azeez Al-Shaair, Florida Atlantic	DB Michael Jackson, Miami
DB Dravon Askew-Henry, West Virginia	DE Cece Jefferson, Florida
LB Joe Bachie, Michigan State	DE Jalen Jelks, Oregon
DE Ben Banogu, TCU	DB Jaquan Johnson, Miami
DT Terry Beckner Jr., Missouri	DT Dre'Mont Jones, Ohio State
DT Ryan Bee, Marshall	DE Corbin Kaufusi, BYU
DB Julian Blackmon, Utah	LB Jordan Kunaszyk, California
DE Nick Bosa, Ohio State	DT Dexter Lawrence, Clemson
DB Kris Boyd, Texas	DE Jonathan Ledbetter, Georgia
DT Derrick Brown, Auburn	DT Ira Lewis, Baylor
DB Blace Brown, Troy	DB Shelton Lewis, Florida Atlantic
DE Austin Bryant, Clemson	DT Ray Lima, Iowa State
LB Ben Burr-Kirven, Washington	LB David Long Jr., West Virginia
LB Devin Bush, Michigan	DB Julian Love, Notre Dame
DB T.J. Carter, Memphis	DB Chase Lucas, Arizona State
DB Justin Clifton, Arkansas State	DT David Moa, Boise State
LB Te'von Coney, Notre Dame	LB James Nachtigal, Army West Point
DT Marquise Copeland, Cincinnati	DE Anthony Nelson, Iowa
DE Maxx Crosby, Eastern Michigan	DT Ed Oliver, Houston
DE Marlon Davidson, Auburn	DB Amani Oruwariye, Penn State
DE Raekwon Davis, Alabama	LB Shaquille Quarterman, Miami
DB Lukas Denis, Boston College	DB Delvon Randall, Temple
DB D'Cota Dixon, Wisconsin	DB Taylor Rapp, Washington
LB Tyrel Dodson, Texas A&M	DE Christian Rector, USC
DE Landis Durham, Texas A&M	LB Malik Reed, Nevada
LB Troy Dye, Oregon	LB David Reese, Florida
LB Cooper Edmiston, Tulsa	DE Hunter Reese, Troy
DB Mike Edwards, Kentucky	DT Olive Sagapolu, Wisconsin
LB T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin	DT Jordon Scott, Oregon
DE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech	DB Duke Shelley, Kansas State
DE Clelin Ferrell, Clemson	DT Jeffery Simmons, Mississippi State
LB Paddy Fisher, Northwestern	LB Cameron Smith, USC
DT Greg Gaines, Washington	DE Sutton Smith, NIU
DE Rashan Gary, Michigan	DE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State
DE Joe Gaziano, Northwestern	LB Jahlani Tavai, Hawaii
DT Youhanna Ghaifan, Wyoming	DB Marvell Tell III, USC
DB Kyle Gibson, UCF	DB Juan Thornhill, Virginia
DB Mark Gilbert, Duke	DT Jerry Tillery, Notre Dame
LB Ulysees Gilbert III, Akron	DT Ricky Walker, Virginia Tech
LB Joe Giles-Harris, Duke	LB Devin White, LSU
DE Carl Granderson, Wyoming	DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson
LB Terez Hall, Missouri	DB Greedy Williams, LSU
LB De'Jon Harris, Arkansas	DB Andrew Wingard, Wyoming
DB Tae Hayes, Appalachian State	DE Chase Winovich, Michigan
DB Lavert Hill, Michigan	DT Daniel Wise, Kansas
DT Trysten Hill, UCF	DE Oshane Ximines, Old Dominion
LB Khalil Hodge, Buffalo