Michael Sam makes a play earlier this year against Arkansas State. (photo/MU athletics)
Missouri senior defensive end Michael Sam has been selected as a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Sam is one of five finalists for the award, which goes annually to the nation’s best defensive player as voted upon by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA).
Sam leads the SEC in both tackles for loss (with 16.0 entering Saturday’s game at #24 Ole Miss), and quarterback sacks (10.0), and he ranks sixth and seventh nationally, respectively, in those categories.
Sam is just the second Tiger to be named a finalist for the Nagurski Trophy, which was first handed out in 1993. He joins former Mizzou All-American DE Justin Smith, who was previously a finalist as a junior in 2000.
Other finalists include Darqueze Denard (LB – Michigan State), Aaron Donald (DT – Pittsburgh), Lamarcus Joyner (DB – Florida State) and C.J. Mosley (LB – Alabama).