Alabama’s Jonathan Allen Wins 2016 Bronko Nagurski Trophy

Alabama senior defensive lineman Jonathan Allen is the recipient of the 2016 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually to the national collegiate defensive player of the year.

Allen received the award from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Charlotte Touchdown Club at the Nagurski awards banquet in Charlotte, N.C. this evening. He is the first Alabama player to win the award. Teammate Reuben Foster, who won the Dick Butkus Award on Sunday, was also a finalist for the Nagurski.

Allen has been a force for a defense that leads the nation in total defense, rushing defense, scoring defense and defensive touchdowns. Allen leads the Tide in quarterback hurries (15) and shares the team lead in sacks (8.5) to go along with 13.0 tackles for loss. He has also returned a team-leading two fumble recoveries for 105 combined yards and two touchdowns. His 26.5 career sacks places him second on the Tide's all-time list behind former Crimson Tide standout and NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas.

Allen and Foster were joined by defensive back Tarvarus McFadden (Florida State), linebacker/defensive back Jabrill Peppers (Michigan) and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (Clemson) as finalists for this year's Nagurski Trophy. The award is named after the legendary Bronko Nagurski, who dominated college football at the University of Minnesota as a bruising fullback and defensive tackle from 1927-29.

This was Alabama's sixth consecutive season, and the eighth season in the last nine, with at least one finalist for the award. The previous Crimson Tide players to be named finalists include: Reggie Ragland (2015), Landon Collins (2014), C.J. Mosley (2013), Dee Milliner (2012), Mark Barron (2011), Terrence Cody (2009) and Rashad Johnson (2008).