For the second straight year, UVa cornerback Ras-I Dowling has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, it was announced today. The 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List features the best and brightest of the upcoming season's defensive players. Dowling is one of only 13 ACC players on the list, which features those most likely to receive the Bronko Nagurski Trophy that is awarded annually to the nation's best defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Dowling has been on the second-team All ACC team for two years now. According to the VirginiaSports.com release, Rowling anchored the ACC's No. 4 and the nation's No. 21 pass defense in 2009. The Chesapeake, Va., native finished the season ranked No. 6 in the ACC in passes defended (11) and No. 11 in interceptions (three). After recording a career-high nine tackles, including his first career sack, against Indiana, Dowling earned the ACC Defensive Back of the Week nod by the league. He also averaged 3.4 tackles per game and had two tackles for loss.
Dowling enters his final season at UVa with eight career interceptions and 145 total tackles. He has 36 career pass defenses.
Players may be added or deleted to the Bronko Nagurski Watch List during the season. Each week during the 2010 season, the FWAA will choose a Defensive Player of the Week. If that player is not on the Watch List, he automatically will be added. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 18. The winner will be announced December 6.
For the record, Virginia Tech did not get any players named to the Watch List. Which to me means that November 27? It's in the bag, baby.