GatorGal15
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University of Florida junior linebacker Brandon Spikes (Shelby, N.C.) was among the five finalists for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy as announced on Wednesday by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Spikes is the third Gator to become a finalist for the trophy, joining Alex Brown (2001) and Reggie Nelson (2006).
Spikes will be vying for the honor of the best defensive player in college football along with TCU end Jerry Hughes, USC linebacker Rey Maualuga, Texas end Brian Orakpo and Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith.
The winner will be announced Dec. 7 and presented the Bronko Nagurski Trophy at a gala banquet at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C., where East Carolina coach Skip Holtz will give the keynote address.
Spikes (6-3, 245), who is in his junior season, leads the Gators with 70 tackles this season, including eight tackles for a loss. All of his three interceptions this season have come against top-25 teams, which lead all linebackers and are tied for second nationally among all players. Spikes is one of only three linebackers in the nation with two interception returns for touchdowns this season, which equals the UF single-season record.
The FWAA award is named after Nagurski, who dominated college football at Minnesota as a bruising fullback and tackle from 1927-29. He could have been an All-America at any position, playing 60 minutes and was the best player wherever he lined up.
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C. region. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches.
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of nearly 1,000 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.
-UF-
Spikes will be vying for the honor of the best defensive player in college football along with TCU end Jerry Hughes, USC linebacker Rey Maualuga, Texas end Brian Orakpo and Wake Forest cornerback Alphonso Smith.
The winner will be announced Dec. 7 and presented the Bronko Nagurski Trophy at a gala banquet at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C., where East Carolina coach Skip Holtz will give the keynote address.
Spikes (6-3, 245), who is in his junior season, leads the Gators with 70 tackles this season, including eight tackles for a loss. All of his three interceptions this season have come against top-25 teams, which lead all linebackers and are tied for second nationally among all players. Spikes is one of only three linebackers in the nation with two interception returns for touchdowns this season, which equals the UF single-season record.
The FWAA award is named after Nagurski, who dominated college football at Minnesota as a bruising fullback and tackle from 1927-29. He could have been an All-America at any position, playing 60 minutes and was the best player wherever he lined up.
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C. region. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches.
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of nearly 1,000 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include gameday operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America team.
-UF-
