Eastern Michigan Athletics

McGill Adds Nagurski Watch List to Preseason Honors
7/23/2019 1:00:00 PM | Football
The Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the nation's top defensive player
DALLAS, Texas (EMUEagles.com) - For the third time in just over a week, Eastern Michigan University senior defensive back Kevin McGill (Waldorf, Md.-Westlake) was selected to the preseason watch list for an award given to the nation's defensive player of the year. On Tuesday, July 23, McGill was among a group of 92 players named to the 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
The Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 20. The winner will be chosen from that group and will receive their award at the annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet on Dec. 9 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Last week, McGill was named to the watch list of the Chuck Bednarik Award, also given to the nation's top defensive player, while yesterday he was named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list alongside teammate Vince Calhoun.
McGill is one of three Mid-American Conference defenders selected to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List joining Javon Hagan (Ohio) and Antonio Jones-Davis (Northern Illinois).
A preseason First Team All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports, McGill was part of an experienced EMU secondary that ranked third in the league in interceptions and 33rd nationally in 2018. The Waldorf, Md. native finished last year tied for the team lead with three picks to go along with 38 tackles. His three INTs were second-most in the MAC and tied for 55th in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) ranks. According to Pro Football Focus, McGill led all MAC cornerbacks in catch rate and allowed a mere 34.4 passer rating during his junior campaign. For his efforts, he was a Second Team All-MAC honoree in 2018.
The award is named in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
The 2019 EMU football season will feature a year-long series of events, initiatives, and programming centered around fans, student-athletes, and the community. The celebration will salute the five decades of student-athletes that have played inside Rynearson Stadium as well as the more than 2.8 million fans who have passed through the turnstiles to watch one of the 252 home games in the venue. Furthermore, the College Football 150th Anniversary celebration will be recognized at all divisions of the collegiate game during the 2019 season.
Fans can now order reserved non-chairback season tickets for just $90 ($18 per game). EMU faculty and staff can secure season tickets for $70 ($14 per game), while youth season tickets are just $50 ($10 per game). In addition, EMU continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for $150 ($30 per game). The premiere plan includes a padded chairback seat and VIP parking in the Convocation Center lots.
Buying a season ticket is your best deal as you will save 38 percent when compared to the single-game rate. Tickets are now on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
Following is the entire 2019 preseason watch list calendar:
Monday, July 15: Bednarik Award / Maxwell Award
Tuesday, July 16: Davey O'Brien Award
Wednesday, July 17: Doak Walker Award
Thursday, July 18: Biletnikoff Award
Friday, July 19: Mackey Award & Rimington Award
Monday, July 22: Thorpe Award & Butkus Award
Tuesday, July 23: Outland Trophy & Nagurski Award
Wednesday, July 24: Groza Award & Ray Guy Award
Thursday, July 25: Hornung Award & Wuerffel Trophy
Friday, July 26: Walter Camp Award
The Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 20. The winner will be chosen from that group and will receive their award at the annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet on Dec. 9 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Last week, McGill was named to the watch list of the Chuck Bednarik Award, also given to the nation's top defensive player, while yesterday he was named to the Jim Thorpe Award watch list alongside teammate Vince Calhoun.
McGill is one of three Mid-American Conference defenders selected to the Nagurski Trophy Watch List joining Javon Hagan (Ohio) and Antonio Jones-Davis (Northern Illinois).
A preseason First Team All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports, McGill was part of an experienced EMU secondary that ranked third in the league in interceptions and 33rd nationally in 2018. The Waldorf, Md. native finished last year tied for the team lead with three picks to go along with 38 tackles. His three INTs were second-most in the MAC and tied for 55th in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) ranks. According to Pro Football Focus, McGill led all MAC cornerbacks in catch rate and allowed a mere 34.4 passer rating during his junior campaign. For his efforts, he was a Second Team All-MAC honoree in 2018.
The award is named in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
The 2019 EMU football season will feature a year-long series of events, initiatives, and programming centered around fans, student-athletes, and the community. The celebration will salute the five decades of student-athletes that have played inside Rynearson Stadium as well as the more than 2.8 million fans who have passed through the turnstiles to watch one of the 252 home games in the venue. Furthermore, the College Football 150th Anniversary celebration will be recognized at all divisions of the collegiate game during the 2019 season.
Fans can now order reserved non-chairback season tickets for just $90 ($18 per game). EMU faculty and staff can secure season tickets for $70 ($14 per game), while youth season tickets are just $50 ($10 per game). In addition, EMU continues to offer the Ultimate Fan Season Ticket Plan for $150 ($30 per game). The premiere plan includes a padded chairback seat and VIP parking in the Convocation Center lots.
Buying a season ticket is your best deal as you will save 38 percent when compared to the single-game rate. Tickets are now on sale at EMUEagles.com/tickets, by calling 734.487.3669 or by visiting the EMU Ticket Office.
Following is the entire 2019 preseason watch list calendar:
Monday, July 15: Bednarik Award / Maxwell Award
Tuesday, July 16: Davey O'Brien Award
Wednesday, July 17: Doak Walker Award
Thursday, July 18: Biletnikoff Award
Friday, July 19: Mackey Award & Rimington Award
Monday, July 22: Thorpe Award & Butkus Award
Tuesday, July 23: Outland Trophy & Nagurski Award
Wednesday, July 24: Groza Award & Ray Guy Award
Thursday, July 25: Hornung Award & Wuerffel Trophy
Friday, July 26: Walter Camp Award
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