Ike Larsen can add another preseason accolade to his resume as the USU star defensive back has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. The award is handed out annually to the most outstanding defensive player in FBS. Larsen is one of 75 players honored from 56 total schools.
Larsen led the Aggies’ defense last year, recording 103 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss. He also had four interceptions (including one pick-six), six pass deflections and one forced fumble. He earned All-Mountain West First Team honors and as a returner to USU, he’s earned preseason MW first team honors from every list that’s been put out so far, be it Phil Steele, Athlon, or the official MW media ballots.
Even with all his previous accolades, making the Bronko Nagurski watch list is something Larsen had yet to do. Prior to 2023 he was preseason All-MW and made the Jim Thorpe watch list (for best defensive back, a list he’ll likely end up on again), but did not feature on the Nagurski Trophy list, or the list for another defensive player of the year trophy, the Bednarik Award.