Eight players from Pitt, Penn State and West Virginia were named Tuesday to watch lists for the Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy, which are given to college football’s best defender and interior lineman.
In addition, Pitt, PSU and WVU are three of 15 schools with multiple players on the watch list for the Nagurski.
Pitt’s Paris Ford, Patrick Jones II, Jaylen Twyman and Jimmy Morrissey represent the Panthers. Ford, Jones and Twyman were named to the Nagurski and Morrissey and Twyman are nominated for the Outland. Former Pitt defensive tackle Aaron Donald won both in 2013.
Brothers Darius and Dante Stills, defensive tackles at WVU, are included on both lists while Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons and defensive end Shaka Toney are on the Nagurski.
West Virginia’s Darius Stills has been named the Big 12 Preseason Defensive Player of the Year while Dante previously was named to Street & Smith’s Preseason All-Big 12 first team.
Parsons has been named to four watch lists, including the Butkus (linebacker), Bednarik (best defensive player) and Lott IMPACT (a combination of character and defensive performance).
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