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Rivers Placed on Nagurski Trophy Watch List
7/29/2025 12:03:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke senior cornerback Chandler Rivers has been selected to the preseason watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, an honor presented to the top defensive player in the country by the Football Writers Association of America.
Rivers is a preseason All-America selection and returning First Team All-ACC honoree. A Beaumont, Texas, native, Rivers was an All-America selection by four publications following the 2024 campaign: The Athletic (Second Team), College FootÂball Network (Second Team), the Associated Press (Third Team) and Phil Steele (Fourth Team). He enters the 2025 campaign with 164 career tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, five interceptions, two caused fumbles, one fumble recovery, 21 pass breakups, six quarterback pressures and one blocked kick.Â
Last fall, Rivers was graded by Pro Football Focus (PFF) as having the second-highest defense grade (90.7) among cornerbacks nationally. According to PFF, he had the second-highest coverage grade (89.8) among cornerbacks nationally. He was also rated by PFF as the No. 40 overall player in college football during the 2024 season. Rivers surrendered only 13 completions last season, including just three that went for 20 yards or more. His 4.5 yards allowed per target ranked 13th among Power Four corners.
The Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce four finalists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy in mid-to-late November, and the winner will be revealed at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on December 8 in Charlotte, N.C.
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Season tickets for the upcoming season may be purchased online at goduke.com/footballtix or by calling the Duke Athletics Ticket Office at 919-681-BLUE (2583).
To stay up to date with Blue Devils football, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeFootball".
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Duke 2025 NCFAA Watch Lists Selections
Maxwell Award:Â Darian Mensah
Outland Trophy:Â Brian Parker II
Nagurski Trophy:Â Chandler Rivers
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