DALLAS — The Football Writers Association of America today released the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List, selecting BYU linebackers Isaiah Glasker and Cade Uluave as well as safety Faletau Satuala among the 68 contenders for the national defensive player of the year award.
The list includes student-athletes from 47 different schools and all 10 Division I FBS conferences plus Independents. The watch list consists of 21 linebackers, 16 safeties, 13 defensive ends, 10 defensive tackles and eight cornerbacks.
SATUALA, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior from Bountiful, Utah, played in all 13 games for No. 12-ranked BYU in 2025. He led the Cougars with 78 tackles and 2 forced fumbles, while collecting 3 interceptions and 7.5 tackles for loss, en route to being named second-team All-America by the FWAA. Satuala also earned All-Big 12 honors and was named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week and Lott Trophy Player of the Week for his play in helping BYU defeat Iowa State in Ames to improve to 8-0 on the season.
Satuala was recently named 2026 preseason All-America and All-Big 12 by Athlon Sports. In addition, he was named Preseason All-Big 12 Team First Team by Phil Steele.
GLASKER, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound senior from South Jordan, Utah, was also named to the Phil Steele Preseason All-Big 12 First Team and listed as one of the top senior prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft by The Athletic.
As a junior in 2025, Glasker posted 67 total tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss. The Cougar co-captain also had 3 sacks, a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries and 2 interceptions. Glasker was named third-team All-Big 12 and was on the watch list for both the Butkus Award and the Bednarik Award.
ULUAVE, a 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior from South Jordan, Utah, was recently named a candidate for the 2026 Lott IMPACT Trophy, which recognizes the top defensive player nationally who has had the biggest impact on his team both on and off the field.
Uluave is in his first year at BYU after transferring from Cal. A 2025 All-ACC First-Team linebacker, Uluave led Cal with 100 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 5 quarterback hurries. Over three seasons, he played in 34 games for the Bears, starting 26. Uluave has 237 career tackles, 21.5 TFL, 6 sacks, 3 interceptions and 2 forced fumbles.