UNM's Wright Named To 2008 Nagurski Trophy Watch List

by UNM Athletics

DALLAS– The Football Writers Association of America has announced that University of New Mexico senior cornerback DeAndre Wright has been named to the Watch List for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the best defensive player in college football. A first team all-Mountain West Conference honoree in 2007, Wright has started 26 consecutive games and recorded 19 pass break-ups and seven interceptions since moving from safety to corner in 2006.

The Clinton, Md. product led the 13th-ranked Lobo defense with 12 passes defended in ’07, including a team-high three interceptions for a career-high 67 return yards. Wright was particularly outstanding over the final 10 games, notching six pass break-ups, two interceptions and allowing just two long passes (15+ yards).

His numbers were particularly impressive considering many opponents chose not to challenge him downfield. Wright was thrown at just 11 times in man coverage in the final seven games.

A standout tailback in high school, Wright didn’t play defense until he arrived at UNM in 2004. After earning Honorable Mention Freshman All-America honors as a safety in 2005, he moved to corner just weeks before the 2006 season-opener and quickly surged up the depth chart and into the starting lineup.

The FWAA All-America Committee selects the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner from the association's 11- man All-America defensive team in November. The watch list was developed by the FWAA All-America committee with the help of the schools and conferences.

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.

 

 

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