Two Georgia Bulldogs have been named to the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Tuesday.
Bulldogs named to the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List include safety KJ Bolden and linebacker Raylen Wilson. Bolden was named to the list last season.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is an annual award given to the top defensive player in college football as selected by the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) and presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
The NCFAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2026 Bronko Nagurski trophy on November 19. The award will be presented to the winner at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C., on December 7.
KJ Bolden, a 6-foot-0, 195-pound junior, hails from Buford, Ga. Bolden started in all 14 games last season, recording 76 tackles (32 solo), 2.5 tackles for loss for five yards, two interceptions, and five pass break-ups. Bolden was named to the Coaches All-SEC Second Team following the season.
Raylen Wilson, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior from Tallahassee, Fla., started all 14 games in 2025. Wilson recorded tallied 74 tackles (30 solo), 6.5 tackles for loss for 22 yards, 2.5 sacks for 19 yards, one pass break-up, and 23 quarterback pressures.
The Georgia Bulldogs are scheduled to open the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5 against the Tennessee State Tigers at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. The game will kickoff at 3:00pm ET and will be a streaming-only event on SEC Network+.