DALLAS -- The Football Writers Association of America has named junior linebacker Cameron Jensen as one of 50 candidates being considered in the preseason for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy. The trophy is awarded to college football's top defensive player.
Jensen had a breakout season in 2004, starting all 11 games in his first season with the Cougars and leading the team in total tackles with 103, solo tackles with 49 and assisted tackles with 54. His 12.0 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries tied him for first on the team and he added two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against UNLV. Jensen also set his career high in total tackles against the Rebels with 12.
Before coming to BYU in 2003, a redshirt season, Jensen played one year at Ricks JC where he led the team in tackles and earned all-conference honors. Following his freshman campaign he served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Rostov, Russia.
The Nagurski trophy has been a staple of the FWAA's awards since 1993. The winner will be chosen from an 11-man All-America defensive team selected by the Association's All-America Committee. The trophy will be awarded Dec. 5, 2005 as five finalists will vie for the award.
The FWAA will also select a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week beginning Sept. 3 and running through the middle of November.
Linebacker
6-2, 235, Jr.
Bountiful, UT / Ricks JC
At BYU
JUNIOR - (2005): A Bronko Nagurski Trophy candidate ... a 2005 Preseason Mountain West All-Conference selection ... a Phil Steele's College Football Preview preseason Honorable Mention All-American ... named a Preseason First-Team All-Mountain West Conference performer by Lindy's Football Annuals, Phil Steele's College Football Preview, Athlon Sports, Street & Smiths, Blue Ribbon Yearbook/ESPN.com and College Football News ... ranked as the second best linebacker in the MWC by College Football News.
SOPHOMORE - (2004): An Academic All-Mountain West Conference selection ... earned Mountain West Conference honorable mention honors ... started all 11 games at middle linebacker ... lettered as a sophomore ... recorded a team-leading 103 tackles on the season ... registered five double-digit tackle performances during the season ... credited with a season-high 12 tackles against UNLV ... tallied a season-high nine solo tackles at Stanford ... had a team-high 12 tackles for a combined loss of 30 yards, including one sack (vs. Boise State) ... credited with two interceptions on the season, including a 26-yard return for a touchdown against UNLV ... participated in spring drills ... posted five tackles in the annual Blue-White scrimmage, including three solo takedowns ... credited with two tackles for a loss, including one sack.
REDSHIRT - (2003): Redshirted after returning from a Church mission in Russia. Received Prep Defensive Player of the week honors for Georgia Tech and Notre Dame.
Before BYU
Graduated from Bountiful High School in 1999 ... helped lead the Braves to the 4-A state championship game ... a three-year letter-winner at Bountiful HS ... earned both 4-A Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player-of-the-Year honors as a senior ... with a 3.85 grade-point average, was honored as a National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete.
Personal
Parents are Gordon and Mary ... served a Church mission to Rostov, Russia ... recruited by Oklahoma, UCLA, Arizona and Utah ... his father played both basketball and baseball at the University of Utah ... his mother, Mary, was a Cougarette at BYU.
Other College
Ricks JC: Led Ricks College in tackles and earned all-conference honors as a true freshman.
Statistics
Yr Solo Ast Total TFL/Yds Sacks/Yds Int-Yds PBU QBH FR FF
2004 49 54 103 12.0/30 1.0/10 2-26 2 2 2 1