UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State senior safety Ji'Ayir Brown was named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. Brown played a major role in No. 14/15 Penn State's 41-12 win at Auburn on Saturday.
Brown, who was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, is Penn State's first player to ever be named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, recognizes the best defensive player in college football.
Ji'Ayir Brown · Sr+ · S · 5-11 · 202 · Trenton, N.J. · Trenton Central/Lackawanna College
- Tabbed Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week on Monday.
- Helped the Nittany Lions to force four takeaways, including two fumbles and two interceptions.
- Penn State had four takeaways in a game for the first time since 2019 vs. Michigan State.
- Brown also helped Penn State to record 11 tackles for loss and six sacks.
- Tallied five tackles (four solo), a sack, a forced fumble and an interception against the Tigers
- Brown recorded a strip-sack in the third quarter. It was his first career sack and second career forced fumble.
- The senior captain added his seventh career interception in the third quarter. He returned the interception 27 yards.
- Brown has had a hand in 10 takeaways in his Nittany Lion career.
- Has appeared in 25 career games at Penn State, making 16 starts.
- Is a member of the Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award and Reese's Senior Bowl watch lists.
- Tied for the nation's lead with six interceptions in 2021.
- His six interceptions were tied for the 10th-most in a season at PSU.
- Became the first Nittany Lion to record six interceptions and two fumble recoveries in a season since Alan Zemaitis in 2005.
The five finalists for the Nagurski Trophy and three finalists for the Outland Trophy will be named in November. Both winners will be announced live on The Home Depot College Football Awards.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given annually since 1993, is named in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski played for the Chicago Bears after his college career. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Hall of Fame.
No. 14/15 Penn State hosts Central Michigan on Saturday, September 24. The game will be broadcast on Big Ten Network with a noon kickoff.
The 2022 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.