Defensive lineman Mikail Kamara, linebacker Aiden Fisher and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds are all on the preseason watch list for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
The Hoosiers were named as three of the top 60 candidates on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually to the national defensive player of the year.
Catching eyes in the preseason. pic.twitter.com/D8ppJKOo9r
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) July 29, 2025
Junior cornerback D'Angelo Ponds had 53 tackles, nine pass breakups, 4.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions in 2024. Ponds was named First Team All-American by the (FWAA) Football Writers Association of America, First Team All-Big Ten and a Jim Thorpe Award Semi-Finalist.
Senior inside linebacker Aiden Fisher led Indiana with 108 total tackles, which ranked third in the Big Ten Conference he also had 4.0 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and broke up three passes. Fisher was named First Team All-American by the (FWAA) Football Writers Association of America, First Team All-Big Ten and a Butkus Award Semi-Finalist.
Senior defensive end Mikail Kamara was a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten first team. Indiana's talented edge rusher started all 12 games with 44 tackles, 15.0 tackles for loss and 10.0 sacks, forced two fumbles and recovered three fumbles on the season.
Here’s the press release issued by the Football Writers Association of America:
The Football Writers Association of America released its 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List today, selecting three returning FWAA All-Americans among 60 defensive standouts as contenders for the national defensive player of the year. The list contains players from 41 different schools in eight Division I FBS conferences plus Independents.
Six of the top 15 leaders in sacks from a year ago, a player whose total tackles were second in the nation along with one of the top interception leaders highlight the list that has just over half of its selections from the Southeastern (18) and Big Ten (14) Conferences.
The (FWAA) The Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce four finalists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy in mid-to-late November, and the winner will be revealed at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on December 8th in Charlotte, North Carolina.