Georgia Football: Bulldog’s Damian Swann Named To Nagurski Trophy & Thorpe Award Watch List
By Danny Bishop
Damian Swann, photo by Sonny Kennedy, http://www.sonnykennedyphotography.com/
Georgia junior cornerback Damian Swann has been named to the 2013 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, according to an announcement Thursday by the Football Writers Association of American (FWAA).
The Nagurski Trophy, now in its 21st season, is presented annually to the national defensive player of the year by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
The FWAA will choose a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday throughout the season. If not already on the watch list, the honored player will be added at that time. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy on November 21.
The Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those five finalists who are part of the 2013 FWAA All-America Team. The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be held on December 9 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte.
Swann was also named to the 2013 Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watch List, according to an announcement Friday by the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA).
The Jim Thorpe Award, now in its 28th season, is presented annually to the nation’s best defensive back. The award winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on December 13 on ESPN. The annual Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on February 4, 2014 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Swann, a native of Atlanta, started all 14 games for the Bulldogs last season. He finished with a team-leading four interceptions, 53 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 2012.
Swann concluded his sophomore season by recording six tackles (all solo) and a pair of interceptions that he returned for 46 yards during the Bulldogs’ 45-31 win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl. His two interceptions in the victory tied a school bowl record.
Former Bulldog All-American Champ Bailey won the 1998 Nagurski Trophy. Jarvis Jones (2012), Justin Houston (2010) and David Pollack (2002, 2004) are the other Georgia players who have been named finalists.
All photos copyrighted property of Sonny Kennedy,
www.sonnykennedyphotography.com/