May 12, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- UAB senior safety Will Dunbar is among the standout collegiate players named Monday to the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

The Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player in college football, has been a part of the FWAA's awards since 1993. It is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club with the winner to be selected from the association's 11-man All-America defensive team in late November.

Dunbar was a first-team All-Conference USA selection last season as he led all Conference USA defenders in tackles per game at 12.2. He ranked No. 4 nationally in that category.

The Atlanta product also registered a pair of interceptions in 2007, including one for a 21-yard touchdown against Florida State.

Dunbar is one of five Conference USA players tabbed to the preseason Watch List. Also on the list are DB Joe Burnett of UCF, DE Albert McClellan of Marshall, LB Gerald McRath of Southern Miss and DE Phillip Hunt of Houston.

The watch list was developed by the FWAA All-America committee with the help of the schools and conferences.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club will hold the 2008 banquet on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte. For the eighth straight season, the FWAA will also pick a Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week beginning with games on Aug. 30 and running through the middle of November. And a Bronko Nagurski Legends Award winner will also be selected from the FWAA's 1967 All-America team.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been presented since 1993 and is awarded in memory of the legendary Nagurski, a former All-America lineman at Minnesota in 1927-29 and a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s.

The 2007 Nagurski Trophy winner, LSU defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey, was selected No. 5 overall by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2008 NFL Draft. The two other 2007 Nagurski finalists also fared well in the NFL Draft: Virginia end Chris Long went No. 2 overall to the St. Louis Rams and Kansas defensive back Aqib Talib was the No. 20 overall selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.