Mizzou football lands two players on Nagurski watchlist

Seniors Cale Garrett and DeMarkus Acy look to build off strong junior years for Mizzou football

Missouri linebacker Cale Garrett was added to his third trophy watchlist this summer.

The senior was one of two Tigers on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist. The Nagurksi trophy is handed out to college football’s best defensive player.

Cornerback DeMarkus Acy also was named to the list, the first honor for the senior defensive back.

The SEC has 18 players in the early running for the Nagurski trophy, a conference high. Garrett has had more than 200 tackles while starting all 26 games for the Tigers over the past two seasons.

Garrett also is on the Butkus Award watchlist and the Bednarik Award watchlist.

Meanwhile, Acy has played in 25 games the past two years, grabbing three interceptions and 10 passes defensed last year.

Both players were in Hoover, Alabama, for last week’s SEC Media Days, along with top newcomer and starting quarterback Kelly Bryant. They’ll look to lead the Tigers as they enter their final year in Columbia.

In other watchlist news, offensive lineman Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms was named as one of the players who will be on the lookout for this season’s Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s best interior lineman.

Mizzou’s senior lineman is a returning All-SEC first-teamer for his play during his junior campaign. Another strong year could bring Wallace-Simms a nice trophy to collect on his way out.

The additions of Acy and Wallace-Simms gives the Tigers seven players on preseason watchlists. Along with Garrett are tight end Albert Okwuegbunam, running back Larry Rountree and offensive lineman Trystan Colon-Castillo.

Bryant rounds out the names of players to watch for end-of-the-year awards as of Tuesday.