USF Football LB Antonio Grier named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

#WatchListSZN continued for USF on Tuesday as senior linebacker Antonio Grier was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the nation’s top defensive player.

It’s kind of curious that Grier was named to the Nagurksi Watch List and not the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker. Either way, it’s still a nice shoutout for a veteran player who has been a huge producer for USF’s defense for a handful of seasons. The fifth-year senior from Atlanta has led the Bulls in tackles the previous two seasons and has earned Second Team All-AAC honors in both.

Alongside fellow fifth-year senior Dwayne Boyles, he’s poised to have a big year under the tutelage of new defensive coordinator Bob Shoop and could finally get the recognition as one of the conference’s top defenders should things go right this fall.

Grier is the third USF player to be named to a national watch list after incoming transfer quarterback Gerry Bohanon making the Davey O’Brien and wide receiver Xavier Weaver making the Biletnikoff.