Oct. 11, 2016 Navy outside linebacker Josiah Powell has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Mids 46-40 upset victory over No. 6 Houston last Saturday in Annapolis.
Powell, a 6-foot-3, 224-pound senior from Providence, Ky., recorded the first two interceptions of his career and made three tackles in Navy's victory over previously unbeaten Houston. He led a defense that scored 17 points off Houston turnovers.
Powell's first interception set up a Navy field goal that tied the score late in the first half. After he returned his second interception 34 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter, Navy led, 34-20.
For winning the award, Powell will be added to the Bronko Nagurski Watch List. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2016 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Thurs., Nov. 17.
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.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football.
