The Bronco Nagurski Trophy released its own list of 81 players to watch in 2014 but, astoundingly, just three hail from the Mountain West.
Each of the players in contention for the Nagurski Trophy were part of the two defenses that squared off in last season's MWC championship: Fresno State defensive end Tyeler Davison and free safety Derron Smith, and Utah State linebacker Kyler Fackrell. Davison, a second-team all-MWC selection in 2013, makes his first appearance in the watch list parade after a season in which he recorded 41 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. The numbers may not jump off the page, but it is Davison's efforts that allow the Bulldogs' linebackers to pursue the quarterback with abandon.
As for Smith and Fackrell, it's another day and another watch list. Both were named to the Bednarik Trophy list yesterday, and Smith was also named to the Lott IMPACT Trophy list back in May.