MEMPHIS – Senior linebacker Genard Avery was been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list, Thursday. The Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the football player voted by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) to be the best defensively in the NCAA. The awarded has been presented every year since 1993 by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and the FWAA. The award was named for former University of Minnesota and Chicago Bear Bronko Nagurski in 1995.
Avery was a first team, all-American Athletic Conference honoree last season after leading Memphis in tackles for loss (11-59 yards), sacks (5), and quarterback hurries (6).