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Phillips, Tafuna Named To Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
7/26/2022 8:02 AM | Football
DALLAS – The University of Utah Football program landed two spots on the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List today with cornerback Clark Phillips III and defensive tackle Junior Tafuna being among 85 defensive standouts on the list.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's best defensive player. Finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 16 with the winner being named on Dec. 5 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet.
Phillips, who has started in every game since stepping foot on campus at Utah (19), earned All-Pac-12 in 2021 after a standout season. He wrapped up the year as one of three active Pac-12 players with multiple pick-sixes in their career.
He started all 14 games in 2021, recording 63 tackles with 13 pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. His 15 passes defended led the Pac-12 with his 11 passes defended in conference play leading all freshmen.
Tafuna, the 2021 Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, saw action in 13 games last season, starting the final 11 at defensive tackle. He racked up 33 tackles (5.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks), a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
The Taylorsville, Utah, native ranked second among freshmen in the Pac-12 in total sacks with his 4.5 throughout the season, also ranking third on the team in quarterback sacks. He recorded a career-high nine tackles at Arizona last season, also winning Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week after posting three stops that included 1.5 sacks in Utah's regular season win over Oregon.
NEXT UP
With the Utes set to start fall camp in August, time is ticking down as Utah prepares to head to The Swamp in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 3 to take on the Florida Gators. The game will air at 5 p.m. MT on ESPN.
FOLLOW ALONG!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program, follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @Utah_Football | Instagram: @UtahFootball | Facebook: Search Utah Football), along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com for news, schedule and roster updates throughout the season.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the nation's best defensive player. Finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 16 with the winner being named on Dec. 5 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet.
Phillips, who has started in every game since stepping foot on campus at Utah (19), earned All-Pac-12 in 2021 after a standout season. He wrapped up the year as one of three active Pac-12 players with multiple pick-sixes in their career.
He started all 14 games in 2021, recording 63 tackles with 13 pass breakups, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. His 15 passes defended led the Pac-12 with his 11 passes defended in conference play leading all freshmen.
Tafuna, the 2021 Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year, saw action in 13 games last season, starting the final 11 at defensive tackle. He racked up 33 tackles (5.5 TFL, 4.5 sacks), a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.
The Taylorsville, Utah, native ranked second among freshmen in the Pac-12 in total sacks with his 4.5 throughout the season, also ranking third on the team in quarterback sacks. He recorded a career-high nine tackles at Arizona last season, also winning Pac-12 Defensive Lineman of the Week after posting three stops that included 1.5 sacks in Utah's regular season win over Oregon.
NEXT UP
With the Utes set to start fall camp in August, time is ticking down as Utah prepares to head to The Swamp in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 3 to take on the Florida Gators. The game will air at 5 p.m. MT on ESPN.
FOLLOW ALONG!
To get an inside look at the Utah Football program, follow the Utes on social media (Twitter: @Utah_Football | Instagram: @UtahFootball | Facebook: Search Utah Football), along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com for news, schedule and roster updates throughout the season.
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