A look at the five 2009 Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists, as selected by the FWAA All-America Committee:
Pat Angerer, Linebacker, Iowa, 6-1, 235, Sr. (Bettendorf, Iowa): The top tackler for a 9-2 Iowa team, which won its first nine games of the season. He leads the Hawkeyes with 119 total tackles (79 assisted and 40 unassisted), two tackles for loss (one sack), five passes defended and two forced fumbles. Iowa is 17th in the country in scoring defense.
Eric Berry, Safety, Tennessee, 5-11, 203, Jr. (Fairburn, Ga.): An FWAA All-American in 2008 as a sophomore, he has 70 tackles this season, 44 unassisted, 26 assisted. He has five tackles for loss, two interceptions and six passes broken up for the Volunteers under first-year coach Lane Kiffin. He also has recovered three fumbles and has three quarterback hurries.
Terrence Cody, Tackle, Alabama, 6-5, 365, Sr. (Fort Myers, Fla.): A member of the FWAA All-America team last season, he holds down the Alabama rush defense, which is second in the country. Alabama is second in the country in total defense as well. Cody blocked two field goals in victory over Tennessee, including the potential game-winner as time expired. He has 20 tackles, five for 10 yards in losses, one pass break-up and two quarterback hurries for the unbeaten Crimson Tide.
Jerry Hughes, End, TCU, 6-3, 257, Sr. (Sugar Land, Texas): A Nagurski Trophy finalist for the second straight season, he is the mainstay of a TCU defense, which has led the Horned Frogs to an unbeaten season. TCU is fourth in the country in total defense and sixth in the country in rush and pass defense. Hughes has 49 tackles, 13 tackles for 73 yards in losses (10.5 sacks), one pass broken up, six quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.
Ndamukong Suh, Tackle, Nebraska, 6-4, 300, Sr. (Portland, Ore.): Leads Nebraska in tackles with 31 unassisted and 25 assisted. He has 13 tackles for 47 yards in losses (five sacks), eight pass breakups, 19 hurries, one forced fumble and three blocked kicks. Nebraska ranks 10th in the country in total defense and 11th in country in rush defense.
