LOGAN, Utah — Utah State football junior Ike Larsen has been named to the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List it was announced on Tuesday by the Football Writers Association of America.
 
Along with being named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, Larsen was named to the preseason all-Mountain West team by Phil Steele (first team), Athlon Sports (first team) and MW media. It is Larsen's second consecutive year being named to preseason all-MW teams by each of the three publications.
 
Larsen, a 5-foot-10, 195-pound safety from Smithfield, Utah (Sky View HS) was named a College Football Network Honorable Mention All-American in 2023 and earned first-team all-MW honors as he started all 13 games. He finished the year with 103 tackles (58-solo, 45-assist), which were the second-most on the team, and he became the 65th player in school history to have 100-plus tackles in a season. He also had 4.5 tackles for loss, to go along with a team-high four interceptions and a team-best two blocked kicks, while adding six pass breakups, which were the second-most on the team, and one forced fumble. He finished the year with five double-digit tackle outings.
 
Larsen, who was named the MW Defensive Player of the Week twice and the MW Special Teams Player of the Week once during the 2023 season, finished the year ranking first in the MW and fourth in the nation with two blocked kicks, tied for first in the MW and eighth in the nation with one defensive touchdown, third in the MW and 19th in the nation with four interceptions, eighth in the MW in passes defended with 10 (0.77 pg), and eighth in the MW and 56th in the nation in tackles (7.9 pg).
 
The Bronco Nagurski Trophy is given annually to the best defensive player in college football. The FWAA has awarded the honor since 1993 and, in 1995, named the award after Nagurski, a legendary two-way player for the University of Minnesota and the NFL's Chicago Bears who later became a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame. This year's watch list features 75 defensive standouts across 56 schools in FBS. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2024 trophy on Nov. 20 with the winner being unveiled on Dec. 9 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.
 
Fall Schedule
Utah State opens the 2024 season on Saturday, Aug. 31, as it hosts Robert Morris and begins Mountain West play at Boise State on Saturday, Oct. 5.
 
Ticket Information
Season tickets and mini-plans for the 2024 season are on sale now. Purchase your tickets today to guarantee your seat for the return of the 'Battle of the Brothers' on Saturday, September 14th. To purchase visit utahstateaggies.com or call the ticket office at 435-797-0305.
 
Follow
Fans can follow the Aggie football program at twitter.com/USUFootball or on Facebook at Utah State Football, as well as on Instagram at instagram.com/USUFootball. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program at twitter.com/USUAthletics or on Facebook at Utah State University Athletics.
 
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