Three Bulldogs named to 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Three Georgia Bulldogs have been named to the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List, the National College Football Awards Association of America (NCFAA) announced Tuesday.

Bulldogs named to the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List include defensive end Mykel Williams, safety Malaki Starks, and linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. Williams and Starks were both named to the list last season, with Starks one of the five finalists for the plaudit.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is an annual award given to the top defensive player in college football as selected by the NCFAA and presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

The NCFAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2024 Bronko Nagurski trophy in November and the winner will be unveiled on Thursday, Dec. 12, from the Home Depot College Football Awards, which will air on ESPN.

Mykel Williams, a 6-foot-5, 265-pound junior, hails from Columbus, Ga. Williams started at defensive line in 13 games last season and recorded 18 combined tackles, with six-and-a-half for loss. Williams also notched four-and-a-half sacks.

Malaki Starks, a 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior from Jefferson, Ga., started at defensive back in 13 games last season. Starks finished fourth on the Bulldogs with 52 tackles — 31 solo — and recorded three picks.

Smael Mondon Jr., a 6-foot-3, 230-pound senior, hails from Dallas, Ga. Mondon Jr. was a Second-Team All-SEC pick by the coaches last season, finishing second on the Georgia defense with 68 stops, including 42 solo. Mondon Jr. also recorded three quarterback takedowns.

The Georgia Bulldogs are scheduled to open the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31 against the Clemson Tigers in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.

2024 UGA Football Schedule

Preseason Watch List – 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐤𝐨 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐤𝐢 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲@SmaelJr @MykelWilliams_ @StarksMalaki #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/R7gGyG1ZqV

— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) July 30, 2024