University of Cincinnati cornerback Ahmad "Sauce" Gardner and defensive end Myjai Sanders have been named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually to the National Defensive Player of the Year in college football.
The Football Writers Association of America announced the preseason watch list on Tuesday. The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993.
Gardner, a 6-foot-2-inch, 188-pound junior from Detroit, is one of three returning FWAA first-team All-Americans on the list.
Gardner was a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection last season after ranking second in the conference with nine passes defended and hauling in three interceptions, which tied for fourth most in the American.