DALLAS – BYU senior defensive end Tyler Batty was today named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List for the 2024 season. The prestigious trophy is awarded annually to the nation's top defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America.
The 2024 watch list includes 75 defensive standouts from 56 schools in nine FBS conferences plus Independents. By position, the list includes 22 linebackers, 16 defensive ends, 16 safeties, 12 defensive tackles and nine cornerbacks.
In early July, Batty was one of 30 players to be selected to the 2024 Preseason All-Big 12 Football Team by media representatives who cover the league. Previously, the senior from Payson, Utah, had been named All-Big 12 preseason first team by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele. He was also named to the 2024 watch list for the annual East-West Shrine Bowl.
In 2023 as a junior, Batty earned All-Big 12 Second Team accolades, while being named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Honorable Mention and Defensive Lineman of the Year Honorable Mention. He led the Cougars for a third-straight year in sacks, picking up 5.5 with nine total tackles for loss. He finished the 2023 season with 57 total tackles to lead the defensive line and had eight quarterback hurries, while also forcing two fumbles and recovering another.
Off the field, Batty earned a spot on the prestigious 2023 AFCA Allstate Good Works Team, which is awarded annually to 11 FBS players that excel on the field and are exemplary in their service to the community.
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 20. The winner will be unveiled Dec. 9 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
The FWAA has chosen a national defensive player of the year since 1993. In 1995, the award was named in honor of the legendary two-way player Bronko Nagurski who dominated college football before becoming a star for the Chicago Bears in the 1930s.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team.