FORNEY, Texas — North Forney High School graduate and current Texas A&M senior, Armani Watts, has recently been named to two preseason “watch lists” for the 2017 Bednarik Award and 2017 Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
FORNEY, Texas — North Forney High School graduate and current Texas A&M senior, Armani Watts, has recently been named to two preseason “watch lists” for the 2017 Bednarik Award and 2017 Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
The Bednarik Award is presented to the college defensive player of the year by the Maxwell Football Club and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is presented to the national defensive player of the year by the Charlotte Touchdown Club and the Football Writers Association of America.
Watts enters the 2017 season as the Aggies’ active leader in tackles with 241 in his first three season. In 2016, Watts was one of few players in the SEC with at least one interception, pass breakup, forced fumble, recovered fumble, QB sack, QB hurry and tackle for loss, according to the 12thman.com.
Watts is also tied as an active leader in interceptions, six, and pass break ups, 14.
During the SEC Media Days on Wednesday, Texas A&M Head Coach Kevin Sumlin praised Watts leadership on and off the field.
“It gets back to that kind of leadership, not just on the field, but it’s also that leadership off the field that creates a football team that you love to be around, he said. “These guys are not only good players, but they’re good people and they’re going to be successful.”
“You knew right then he was going to be a great player,” Sumlin said in remembering Watts’ first performance with the Aggies in Columbia, South Carolina.
Additional watch lists are expected to be announcing in the coming weeks and include, among others, the Jim Thorpe Award, Butkus Award/Paul Hornung Award, Biletnikoff Award/Wuerffel Trophy, Davey O'Brien Award, Doak Walker Award, Walter Camp Award, and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.