Texas LB Ford named Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week

A day after being named Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Texas Longhorns linebacker Jaylan Ford has been named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week. The announcement comes from the Football Writers Association of America after Ford’s performance in the 34-27 win over No. 13 Kansas State. Ford tallied a team-leading 10 total tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, and a game-clinching fumble recovery in the final minutes. Ford becomes the fourth Texas Longhorn to win the weekly Nagurski award. Ford leads the Big 12 in tackles with 82, averaging 9.1 tackles per game.

The win over the Wildcats made Texas bowl eligible putting them at 6-3 (4-2 Big 12) on the season, as the Longhorns hop back into the AP Top 25 at No.18. Texas is currently in a three-way tie for second place in the Big 12 with Baylor and No. 23 Kansas State, and will look to keep their Big 12 Conference Championship hopes alive when they host No. 4 TCU in primetime on Nov. 12 at 6:30 CT on ABC.