Chambana Sun

Two University of Illinois football players, Gabe Jacas and Xavier Scott, have been named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list. The announcement was made by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) on Tuesday.

Jacas, an outside linebacker, and Scott, a defensive back, are among 60 players considered for the National Defensive Player of the Year award. Illinois is one of 12 programs nationwide with multiple athletes included on this year’s list. Other schools with more than one nominee include Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Texas and Texas Tech. Last year, Illinois defensive lineman Johnny Newton was a finalist for the trophy.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has recognized college football’s top defensive player annually since 1993. It is awarded based on votes from members of the Charlotte Touchdown Club and FWAA. The trophy honors Bronko Nagurski, who is a member of both the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame.

The most recent recipients were Kyle Kennard from South Carolina in 2024; Xavier Watts from Notre Dame in 2023; and Will Anderson Jr. from Alabama in 2022.

Gabe Jacas has received several preseason accolades for his performance leading up to the 2025 season. He was named to the Athlon Preseason All-America Third Team and Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List. He also earned spots on both Athlon and Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big Ten First Teams and received Big Ten Preseason Honors. CBS.com ranked him as the No. 20 overall player in college football during spring rankings.

In terms of statistics among returning players in the Big Ten conference, Jacas ranks second in sacks with eight—behind only Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei—and tied for second-most sacks in Big Ten games at seven. In the previous season he started all 13 games at outside linebacker for Illinois and recorded 74 tackles (including 13 tackles for loss), eight sacks, ten quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He performed notably against ranked teams with 41 tackles across six such games last year.

Xavier Scott enters this season as a member of Athlon’s Preseason All-America Fourth Team as well as their All-Big Ten First Team; he also appears on Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big Ten First Team roster. CBS.com placed him at No.139 overall nationally this spring.

Last season Scott started every game at defensive back for Illinois tallying 49 tackles (43 solo), two tackles for loss and four interceptions—ranking him tied for second in the Big Ten and fifteenth nationally during regular season play—and led conference cornerbacks with over 790 snaps played according to PFF data analytics services.

Scott also received recognition as a semifinalist for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award last year which goes to one of college football’s top defensive backs.

Other Illini players have also been mentioned on various preseason watch lists: Luke Altmyer is listed for the Maxwell Award while J.C. Davis appears on Outland Trophy watch lists alongside Jacas’ inclusion on both Lott IMPACT Trophy and Bronko Nagurski lists.

“Illinois continues its tradition of producing standout defenders recognized at national levels,” said representatives from university athletics following Tuesday’s announcement.