The Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 and is given to the player who is voted by the Football Writers Association of America as the best defensive player in NCAA College Football.
The award will be presented by Charlotte Touchdown Club and the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). Last year's winner was former Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers who was drafted in the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the 51st pick overall.
Arthur Brown, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound linebacker from East High in Wichita, Kansas sat out all of last year due to mandatory NCAA transfer requirements.
Brown, who as a High School player was a 5-star recruit and rated the #1 player in the nation in 2008 by Scout overall, saw limited action for the Hurricanes, playing in 24 games where he had one recovered fumble and 17 tackles.
After being moved from weakside linebacker to inside linebacker his sophomore season at The University of Miami, Brown elected to transfer closer to home and in February of 2010 made his way to Kansas State. Brown is expected to be a starter for the 'Cats and is will play a vital role in the Wildcat defense this year from his middle linebacker position.
So what does all this mean? Well it means that there are those in college football that think Arthur Brown without ever having played an official game for Kansas State is one of the best players in the country. It means that this a player that is talented enough to be listed among the best defensive players around the nation and that Wildcat Fan expectations of Arthur Brown are well founded.
It also means that that Arthur Brown having never stepped a foot on the field this coming season for all his talent is still a work in progress and that the final product may not be known until the season is over. When you are ranked and high as Arthur was coming out of High School and you have the ability that he has - the smart money is on Arthur having a great year.
Sometimes the difference between good and great is effort and Arthur has already stated coming out of spring practices that he wants to be more of a leader.
If the thought of Arthur Brown 'leading' the Wildcat defense is not enough to get you excited - ponder this. One of 87 players nationally who has been named to the Bronko Nagurski watch list, Arthur will be reunited with his highly touted brother Bryce Brown- who transferred from The University of Tennessee last year as well and will suit up at running back for K-State.
The tandem of both Brown brothers on the field should be enough to push even the most cynical of fans closer to greater expectations. Put me down as Arthur might of only needed the right time and place to show what he can ultimately accomplish. Look for those signs on every given Saturday this fall.
Past Nagurski Award Winners
1993
Rob Waldrop
Arizona
1994
Warren Sapp
Miami (Fla.)
1995
Pat Fitzgerald
Northwestern
1996
Pat Fitzgerald
Northwestern
1997
Charles Woodson
Michigan
1998
Champ Bailey
Georgia
1999
Corey Moore
Virginia Tech
2000
Dan Morgan
Miami (Fla.)
2001
Roy Williams
Oklahoma
2002
Terrell Suggs
Arizona State
2003
Derrick Strait
Oklahoma
2004
Derrick Johnson
Texas
2005
Elvis Dumervil
Louisville
2006
James Laurinaitis
Ohio State
2007
Glenn Dorsey
LSU
2008
Brian Orakpo
Texas
2009
Ndamukong Suh
Nebraska
2010
Da'Quan Bowers
Clemson