Gators DB CJ Henderson and DL Jabari Zuniga were named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, as announced by the Charlotte Touchdown Club on Tuesday. The nod comes a day after Henderson was named to the Jim Thorpe Award Watch list. Both Henderson and Zuniga also share SEC Pre-Season first team honors as well.
Henderson and Zuniga are two of 92 players named to the 2019 BronkoNagurski Trophy Watch List, as the trophy is annually awarded to the nation's most outstanding defensive player.
CJ Henderson:
·2018: Appeared in and started all 13 games throughout the season… Regarded as one of the top cornerbacks in the entire country as he totaled 38 tackles, five tackles-for-loss, three sacks, two interceptions, team-high seven pass breakups and two forced fumbles… Hauled in his two interceptions against Kentucky and South Carolina… His INT against USC sealed the win for Florida as it came late in the 4th quarter on a potential Gamecocks game-winning drive… Had a career-high 1.5 tackles-for-loss against Michigan in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl… Notched his first-career sack and forced fumble against Colorado State in Week 3… After being named as a Preseason Second Team All-SEC player, he earned Coaches’ All-SEC Second Team honors and Athlon Sports Third Team All-SEC accolades following the season… Member of a group that helped UF lead the nation in fourth quarter opponent passing efficiency (66.25) and rank second nationally in fourth quarter opponent completion percentage (40.5)
Jabari Zuniga:
·2018: Appeared in and started all 13 games… Recorded 45 tackles on the season and finished second on the team with 11.0 tackles-for-loss, 6.5 sacks and four quarterback hurries… He and his teammate Jachai Polite became the first pair of Gators with at least 11 tackles-for-loss in a season since the trio of Jon Bullard (17.5), Antonio Morrison (12.0) and Jarrad Davis (11.0) all reached that mark in 2015... They are also the first pair of Gators defensive linemen to reach that total in a season since Jaye Howard (12.0) and Justin Trattou (11.0) did it in 2010… Earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors following Florida’s win vs. Colorado State after he posted a career-best 2.5 sacks, five tackles and a QB hurry… Named to the Ted Hendricks Award Watch List during the season… Notched a pair of six tackle performances against UGA and Missouri