Photo by: Ben Solomon/Rutgers Athletics
Fatukasi Named to Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Jul 27 | Football
Linebacker earns spot on third preseason list
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers football linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi claimed a spot on a third preseason watch list with acknowledgement from the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Tuesday. Fatukasi previously earned recognition to the watch lists for the Butkus Award (top linebacker) and Bednarik Award (top defensive player in college football). The Nagurski Trophy is presented by the Football Writers Association of America to the National Defensive Player of the Year.
Fatukasi led the Big Ten and ranked ninth nationally with 11.2 tackles per game in 2020 for the best average by a Scarlet Knight since 1999. Totaling 101 stops overall, the linebacker had six games in double figures, reaching 17 versus Michigan and Penn State. The New York native also placed second in the league with 11.0 tackles-for-loss, including 2.5 versus Indiana and Michigan.
In the win at Michigan State, Fatukasi was named Bednarik Award National Player of the Week and Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after posting 10 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Fatukasi served as a team captain, was voted First Team All-Big Ten by the media and recently represented Rutgers football at Big Ten Media Day in Indianapolis.
Five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy will be announced late in the season.
Under the direction of head coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers matched its program high with three Big Ten victories in 2020. The Scarlet Knights had 14 players recognized in the All-Big Ten voting, the most for the program since joining the league. In addition, RU posted a team-best 26.7 points per game in a Big Ten season, a gain of 13.4 points per game from the previous season for the fourth-best improvement nationally. The defense collected 19 takeaways and led the conference with 7.8 tackles-for-loss, while the kick return units were one of four nationally with at least three kick return touchdowns. Academically, Rutgers saw 46 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big Ten honors, a program high.
Rutgers opens the season Sept. 2 versus Temple at SHI Stadium in a game presented by PNC. Click here for information on season tickets.
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
Fatukasi led the Big Ten and ranked ninth nationally with 11.2 tackles per game in 2020 for the best average by a Scarlet Knight since 1999. Totaling 101 stops overall, the linebacker had six games in double figures, reaching 17 versus Michigan and Penn State. The New York native also placed second in the league with 11.0 tackles-for-loss, including 2.5 versus Indiana and Michigan.
In the win at Michigan State, Fatukasi was named Bednarik Award National Player of the Week and Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after posting 10 tackles, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Fatukasi served as a team captain, was voted First Team All-Big Ten by the media and recently represented Rutgers football at Big Ten Media Day in Indianapolis.
Five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy will be announced late in the season.
Under the direction of head coach Greg Schiano, Rutgers matched its program high with three Big Ten victories in 2020. The Scarlet Knights had 14 players recognized in the All-Big Ten voting, the most for the program since joining the league. In addition, RU posted a team-best 26.7 points per game in a Big Ten season, a gain of 13.4 points per game from the previous season for the fourth-best improvement nationally. The defense collected 19 takeaways and led the conference with 7.8 tackles-for-loss, while the kick return units were one of four nationally with at least three kick return touchdowns. Academically, Rutgers saw 46 student-athletes earn Academic All-Big Ten honors, a program high.
Rutgers opens the season Sept. 2 versus Temple at SHI Stadium in a game presented by PNC. Click here for information on season tickets.
Follow Rutgers football on Twitter (@RFootball), Facebook (/RFootballShow) and Instagram (@rfootball) for the latest news and updates. Also subscribe to the YouTube channel and bookmark Rutgers.Football, the Scarlet Knights' dedicated recruiting site.
Players Mentioned
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