Ingle and Thomas Named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State safety Tanner Ingle and linebacker Drake Thomas were both named to the 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The Football Writers Association of America released its 2022 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, selecting 85 defensive standouts from 61 schools in all 10 Division I FBS conferences plus independents.
 
Ingle was named a first-team All-ACC performer on the official league squad, as well as the AP team for his play in 2021. The Pack's starting free safety, he was the team's second-leading tackler with 82 stops. Ingle also played 776 snaps for the season - the highest total on defense. 
 
Last season, Thomas was also a first-team All-ACC performer on both the official league team and the AP squad. He also won first-team all-conference honors from PFF and Phil Steele, who also named him a fourth-team All-American. Thomas was the Pack's leading tackler in 2021, ranking fourth in the ACC, and played 763 snaps for the season, the second-highest total on defense.
 
Thomas was previously named to the 2022 Butkus Award Watch List.
 
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2022 trophy on Nov. 16 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 5 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
 
There are 25 linebackers on the watch list, 18 safeties, 17 defensive ends, 13 cornerbacks and 12 tackles.