Two players from the American are among the 60 players nationally named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list. The Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football.
Tulane linebacker Sam Howard earned the honor in his first season with Green Wave after transferring from Austin Peay. He earned third-team all-conference honors in 2024 after he finished the year with 63 tackles and a school-record five fumble recoveries.
Navy placed nose guard Landon Robinson on the watch list. Robinson earned all-conference first team honors after he had 61 tackles, 5.