Bellore Named to Nagurski Trophy Watch List

MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan senior linebacker Nick Bellore has been named to the preseason watch list for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy.

The Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the nation's best defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Central Michigan University's Nick Bellore is one of three players from the Mid-American Conference and 74 players nationwide named to the award's watch list. Five finalists will be announced on Nov. 18, and the winner will be announced at the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet on Dec. 6.

Bellore also is a member of the watch list for the Lombardi Award, presented to the top lineman or linebacker in college football.

A starter in all 41 games of his college career, Bellore enters his senior season with 382 total tackles. He ranks seventh in school history in tackles, just 108 stops shy of the school record. He is a two-time All-MAC first team selection and has been named the Chippewas' most valuable defensive player each of the last two seasons.