Kuechly wins Nagurski Trophy

Published 3:30 am Tuesday, December 13, 2011

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy given to the nation’s top college defensive player.

Kuechly received the honor at a banquet Monday night.

The other finalists were LSU defensive back Morris Claiborne, Alabama defensive back Mark Barron, Illinois defensive end Whitney Mercilus and Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still.

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The 6-foot-3, 237-pound Kuechly led the nation in total tackles with 191 and solo tackles with 102 and was the only unanimous selection to the all-ACC first-team defense this season.

He was All-American last year as a sophomore and was a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy, but was beat out by Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers.

In just three seasons, Kuechly became Boston College’s all-time leading tackler.

In the past week, Kuechly also won the Lombardi Award as the nation’s top collegiate lineman and the Lott IMPACT Trophy named for Hall of Fame defensive back Ronnie Lott.

It honors on-field performance and personal character among defensive players.