UC’s Dontay Corleone named to Outland and Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch lists
Dontay Corleone. (University of Cincinnati photo)
The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced this month that University of Cincinnati redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Dontay Corleone has been named to the national preseason watch lists for the 2023 Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy.
Corleone was one of 10 players nationally – joined by Texas Tech's Jaylon Hutchings from the Big 12 – to earn mention for both awards.
The Cincinnati native anchored a defense that ranked fifth nationally with 4.61 yards per play allowed and totaled 45 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, three sacks, two fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles in only 11 games in 2022 to earn All-AAC First Team and Third Team All-America selections from the Associated Press (AP) and Pro Football Focus (PFF). He was also named an AFCA and College Football News Freshman All-American.
He finished as the nation's highest-graded defensive player by PFF (93.8) in 2022 and recorded a single-season run defense grade (94.7) that was the best of any player since 2019.
Created in 1946, the Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award and is presented annually to the nation's top interior lineman. Corleone was one of 24 defensive tackles and 10 players from the Big 12 represented on the initial list that selected 91 players from 65 schools over 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded to the nation's top defensive player since 1993. The first installment of the watch list recognized 96 players from 70 schools. Corleone was one of 13 defensive tackles and 11 Big 12 players selected.
Each trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). Founded in 1997, the NCFAA presents college football's most prestigious awards and its 24 awards have honored more than 900 recipients since 1935. For the first time this season, 12 NCFAA awards will honor national players of the week each Tuesday.
The watch lists add to the impressive list of preseason award candidacies for Corleone. The Cincinnati native was previously named Preseason All-Big 12 by conference media and tabbed a Walter Camp, Phil Steele and Athlon Sports Preseason All-American earlier this offseason.
Cincinnati opens the 2023 season on Sept. 2 when it hosts Eastern Kentucky inside Nippert Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET.