Louis Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
7/29/2025 12:00:00 PM | Football
PITTSBURGH— Pitt linebacker Kyle Louis has been named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Tuesday. The prestigious honor recognizes the top defensive player in college football.
Louis is among 60 of the nation's premier defenders named to the preseason list, which includes players from 41 different programs across eight Division I FBS conferences, plus independents. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club, will reveal its winner on Dec. 8 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
A redshirt junior, Louis is coming off a breakout 2024 season in which he led Pitt in sacks, tackles for loss, and interceptions, emerging as one of the ACC's most disruptive defenders. His speed, instincts, and versatility helped anchor a Pitt defense that ranked among the league's best, earning him multiple All-America and All-ACC accolades following the season.
The 2025 Bronko Nagurski Watch List includes 21 linebackers, with seven total representatives from the ACC. Louis is the sole Panther featured, continuing Pitt's tradition of defensive excellence.
Each week during the regular season, the FWAA will recognize a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, and players can be added to the watch list throughout the season based on performance.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been presented annually since 1993 and is named in honor of the legendary University of Minnesota two-way player Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski, who went on to become a Hall of Famer with the Chicago Bears.
Click here for the full 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
