Indiana University Athletics
Nagurski Trophy Add Hoosiers to Preseason Watch Lists
7/29/2025 12:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – With award season in full swing, the Indiana football program landed four student-athletes on a pair of national watch lists. The defensive trio of Aiden Fisher, Mikail Kamara and D'Angelo Ponds were each selected to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
On the Nagurski list, Indiana owns two of the three returning Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-Americans in 2025. The Hoosiers join Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Oregon and Texas as the only teams with three-or-more players on the preseason list.
The first-ever first-team All-America pick at linebacker in program history in 2024, Fisher is back after his 118-tackle season that ranks No. 16 on the single season charts. The first-team All-Big Ten pick last season anchored a defense that led the nation in rushing defense. Along with his 118 stops, he added 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and four pass breakups.
A 2024 finalist and preseason nominee for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and semifinalist for the Bednarik Award las season, Kamara was a second-team All-America pick by The Athletic and first Indiana defensive lineman since Greg Middleton (first team) in 2007 to earn All-America status. The first-team All-Big Ten selection led the FBS in total pressures (73) and graded as the No. 4 edge rusher in the Big Ten and No. 15 in Power 4 (86.7) per Pro Football Focus a season ago.
A second-team All-America pick by six outlets in 2024, Ponds was a first-team All-Big Ten pick as a true sophomore. Rated the top cornerback in the Big Ten and No. 9 in Power 4 (84.2) per Pro Football Focus he picked off three passes, broke up nine more passes and ended the season with 55 tackles (35 solo).
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
On the Nagurski list, Indiana owns two of the three returning Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-Americans in 2025. The Hoosiers join Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Oregon and Texas as the only teams with three-or-more players on the preseason list.
The first-ever first-team All-America pick at linebacker in program history in 2024, Fisher is back after his 118-tackle season that ranks No. 16 on the single season charts. The first-team All-Big Ten pick last season anchored a defense that led the nation in rushing defense. Along with his 118 stops, he added 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and four pass breakups.
A 2024 finalist and preseason nominee for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and semifinalist for the Bednarik Award las season, Kamara was a second-team All-America pick by The Athletic and first Indiana defensive lineman since Greg Middleton (first team) in 2007 to earn All-America status. The first-team All-Big Ten selection led the FBS in total pressures (73) and graded as the No. 4 edge rusher in the Big Ten and No. 15 in Power 4 (86.7) per Pro Football Focus a season ago.
A second-team All-America pick by six outlets in 2024, Ponds was a first-team All-Big Ten pick as a true sophomore. Rated the top cornerback in the Big Ten and No. 9 in Power 4 (84.2) per Pro Football Focus he picked off three passes, broke up nine more passes and ended the season with 55 tackles (35 solo).
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
Players Mentioned
FB: Under the Hood with Indiana Football - Week 9 (UCLA)
Wednesday, October 22
FB: Omar Cooper Jr. Media Availability (10/21/25)
Tuesday, October 21
FB: Stephen Daley Media Availability (10/21/25)
Tuesday, October 21
FB: Carter Smith Media Availability (10/21/25)
Tuesday, October 21