ASU Football: Chase Lucas added to Nagurski Trophy watch list
By Trevor Booth
ASU football defensive back Chase Lucas was named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy preseason watch list after a stellar freshman season.
It’s time to add a defensive player to a preseason watch list.
The Bronko Nagurski Charlotte Touchdown Club honored redshirt sophomore defensive back Chase Lucas as one of its preseason candidates for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Tuesday morning. The award is given annually to the best defensive player in college football.
Per the Charlotte Touchdown Club, sponsor of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy:
"Created in 1993 by the Football Writers Association of America, the Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded to the best defensive player in college football and is presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The award was established to complement the Heisman Trophy Award, which at the time had never been presented to a defensive player.The Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards Banquet not only recognizes the best college defensive player, but also helps to raise money to recognize the recipients of our regional high school and college scholarships. All proceeds benefit the Charlotte Touchdown Club Scholarship Fund.More from Devils in DetailSun Devils Primer: Game 2 vs Oklahoma StateSun Devil Insight: Quarterback RoomArizona State Spotlight: Kenny DillinghamArizona State 2023 Season Opener: Off To A Good StartArizona State vs USC Prediction and Promo (Expect Offensive Fireworks)"
Last year’s Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner was NC State’s Bradley Chubb.
Lucas put forth an impressive first season at ASU, recording eight pass deflections while tying senior Chad Adams with a team-high of two interceptions.
At the conclusion of the 2017 season, Lucas picked up a healthy amount of individual recognition, including All Pac-12 Second Team Defense honors and USA Today Freshman All-American honors. Lucas was the first freshman defensive player to receive All Pac-12 honors since UCLA’s Myles Jack in 2013.
With the preseason recognition, Lucas joins teammates Manny Wilkins, Eno Benjamin, N’Keal Harry and Cohl Cabral on their positional preseason watch lists. Lucas is the first defensive player for ASU this season to receive a preseason honor.
Next: ASU Football: Rob Likens looks for success in first year as OC
Lucas came into ASU ranked as four-star prospect ranked No. 197 overall in the class of 2016 by rivals.com. Lucas and Harry won a state championship together at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona, where Lucas also took snaps at the running back position.