J.D. Nelson on Watch-List

EUGENE – University of Oregon free safety J.D. Nelson is one of 56 players from around the country nominated for consideration for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is annually awarded to the best defensive player in college football.

Nelson, a 5-11, 219-pound defensive back from Mountain View, Calif., is a two-year starter who ranked as the Ducks’ fourth-leading tackler (64) a year ago and was named to the Pacific-10 Conference’s second team following last season’s 10-2 finish.

The senior-to-be and preseason all-conference pick has started his last 23 games for the Ducks, recording a career single-game best 13 tackles in 2005 vs. USC as well as intercepting one pass in last season’s Holiday Bowl loss to Oklahoma.

The Football Writers Association of America award, sponsored by the Charlotte (NC) Touchdown Club, will be given to one of five finalists Dec. 4 as selected by the FWAA All-America committee

Former Oregon defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was one of the five finalists for last year’s award won by Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil.

Nelson stands as one of seven nominees for the award from the Pac-10.