Robertson, who was also named to the 2019 Bednarik Award Watch list last week, led the Sun Devils in tackles (77), tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (5.0) and added an interception, two breakups, a fumble forced and a fumble recovered during his freshman campaign in 2018. He was the first freshman to lead the team in tackles since Jason Shivers in 2001 and the first freshman to lead the team in tackles for loss and sacks since Junior Onyeali in 2010.
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Cabral, who was tabbed to the Rimington Trophy Watch List last week, earned a spot on the 2019 Outland Trophy Watch List following a 2018 season that saw him start all 13 games for the Sun Devils last season at center, and was widely respected as one of the best in all of college football. One of just 15 Power Five centers to not allow a sack last season, Cabral was instrumental in helping pave the way for a record-breaking season from Sun Devil running back Eno Benjamin, while also anchoring a line that allowed just 16 sacks all season – good for the third-fewest allowed by an ASU offensive line in program history.
The Outland Trophy, now in its 74th year, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, MO. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
With the pair of nods today, ASU has placed a player on six of the nine national preseason watch lists that have been announced, with five more national award watch lists set to be released through the end of this week.