Berry one of 5 finalists for Bronco Nagurski Trophy

Tennessee junior safety Eric Berry has been named a finalist for one of college football’s most prestigious awards.

He’s one of five finalists for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy, given to the national defensive player of the year. The other four finalists are all seniors.

The other finalists: Iowa linebacker Pat Angerer, Alabama tackle Terrence Cody, TCU end Jerry Hughes and Nebraska tackle Ndamukong Suh.

The finalists were announced Thursday by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

The winner will be announced Dec. 7, and the award will be presented at a banquet in Charlotte.

Berry, who made first-team All-American last season as a sophomore, has 70 tackles this season. He has recovered three fumbles and intercepted two passes.

Cody blocked two UT field-goal attempts, including one on the last play of the game to preserve Alabama’s 12-10 victory last month. He anchors the middle of Alabama’s defense, which ranks second nationally.

Hughes, who was a finalist for the award last season, has 10.5 sacks. Suh leads Nebraska in tackles, has 13 tackles for losses and has blocked three kicks. Angerer has 119 tackles.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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