Isaiah Kaufusi named Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week

DALLAS – BYU linebacker Isaiah Kaufusi registered two sacks and five tackles in a 55-3 win at Navy and earned the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor, selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Kaufusi, a 6-2, 220-pound senior, is only the second BYU player to earn the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honor, joining defensive back Kai Nacua who was recognized in 2015.

From Cottonwood Heights, Utah, Kaufusi also forced a fumble and helped the Cougars hold Navy to 149 yards of total offense. Navy never reached the red zone, as BYU held the Midshipmen to 2 of 11 on third-down conversions.

The team captain will be added to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, where he joins BYU defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, already a member of the preseason list. Tonga was also a force against Navy, clogging up the middle at the line of scrimmage and disrupting several plays. He finished with four tackles, including three solo stops. 

Each week during the regular season, the FWAA has selected a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week since 2001. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy later this season. The national defensive player of the year will be chosen from those five finalists who are part of the 2020 FWAA All-America Team.

The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.