Hall Named Finalist for Bronko Nagurski Trophy
11/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Standout University of Michigan senior cornerback Leon Hall (Vista, Calif./Vista HS) has been selected as one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded annually to the nation's top defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Hall is fourth on the team with 35 tackles this season, including two tackles for loss, one sack and two fumble recoveries. He leads the team with 18 pass breakups this season, with of which are interceptions. Hall registered four tackles and three PBUs at Indiana after contributing a season-high five stops and added one PBU vs. Ball State.
With his three pass breakups last week in Bloomington, Hall tied former teammate Marlin Jackson for the Michigan season pass breakup record with 18. Hall has picked up at least one pass breakup in 10 straight games. He has five multi-PBU games this season, including three breakup games against Michigan State, Northwestern and Indiana. Hall leads the Big Ten and is fifth nationally with a career-best 18 passes defended this season (1.64 avg.).
An All-America candidate and semifinalist for the Thorpe Award, Hall is tied for fourth in school history with 12 career interceptions. He enters the Ohio State game trailing Wally Teninga, with 13 interceptions, for third place in the school annals.
The winner, the 14th to be so honored by the FWAA, will be announced on Dec. 4 and presented the Bronko Nagurski Trophy at a banquet at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.
Following is a list of the five finalists for 2006 Bronko Nagurski Trophy:
Gaines Adams, DE, Clemson
Leon Hall, CB, Michigan
James Laurinaitis, LB, Ohio State
Reggie Nelson, DB, Florida
Patrick Willis, LB, Mississippi
Media Contacts: David Ablauf, Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
