Coming off a historic performance in 2025, Texas Tech’s defense is once again on the national radar. The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) released its 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List. Three Red Raiders made the cut as contenders for college football’s top defensive player award.
Seniors Ben Roberts (linebacker), A.J. Holmes Jr. (defensive tackle) and Brice Pollock (cornerback) headline Tech’s representation. The Nagurski watch list includes 68 players, which spans 47 schools and every FBS conference plus the Independents. Holmes enters the season with extra hardware already in hand. He was named the Big 12’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year at the conference’s Media Days last month.
The recognition continues a run of defensive success in Lubbock. Texas Tech’s defense was a driving force behind the program’s breakout 2025 campaign, capped by linebacker Jacob Rodriguez taking home the actual Bronko Nagurski Trophy. That pedigree puts a target on this year’s group, and the watch list suggests the Red Raiders are expected to reload on the defensive side of the ball, with the linebacker group being among the best in the country.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, named for Minnesota’s legendary two-way star, has been awarded by the FWAA since 1993. Finalists for this year’s honor will be announced November 19th, with the trophy presented at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Dec. 7.
The FWAA will name a weekly Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week. With a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year favorite and two other proven contributors already on notice, Texas Tech fans have plenty of reason to watch how this list evolves as the season unfolds.
Contact/Follow us @RedRaidersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas Tech news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Andrew on X @cfp4_us.
This article originally appeared on Red Raiders Wire: Trio of Red Raiders named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list
Reporting by Andrew McCleary, Red Raiders Wire / Red Raiders Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Andrew McCleary, Red Raiders Wire | USA TODAY Network
