Amik Robertson named Bronko Nagurski National Player of the Week

DALLAS – The national recognition continued to roll in for Louisiana Tech cornerback Amik Robertson, as the junior was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week by the FWAA, the organization announced Tuesday afternoon.

The announcement comes on the heels of Robertson’s Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week selection and his inclusion on the Jim Thorpe Award semifinalists list, both announced Monday.

Robertson is the first Bulldog to pick up national defensive player of the week honors since 2014, when Terrell Pinson was recognized as the nation’s top weekly defensive star.

Through 2+ seasons in Ruston, the junior cornerback has made his name as one of the nation’s best. Robertson has 14 interceptions in 33 games played as a Bulldog – the most among any active FBS player.

On Saturday, Robertson picked off C-USA passing leader Jack Abraham three times, as the Bulldog defense held Southern Miss to just three points in the second half in Tech’s 45-30 victory. With the feat, Robertson became just the third player in program history with three interceptions in a single game. He also added two additional pass breakups vs. the Golden Eagles, giving him five total passes defended on the day.

Robertson became the first C-USA player with three interceptions in a single game since 2017 (Jalen Young, FAU) and just the 12th in league history.

This season, Robertson leads all FBS with 16 passed defended. His five interceptions in 2019 are tied for second-most among national leaders.

Robertson has been credited with 43 passes defended in just 33 collegiate games (14 INTs – 29 pass breakups). That number is 4th most among active career FBS leaders.

This season, the Thibodaux, Louisiana, native has two interceptions returned for touchdowns, and is just one of two active players with three career pick sixes (Isaiah Rodgers – UMass).

Each Tuesday during the regular season, the FWAA has selected a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week since 2001. Robertson will be added to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Wed., Nov. 20. The winner will be chosen from those five finalists who are part of the 2019 FWAA All-America Team.

The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s entire membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists. The committee members then select the winner as the best defensive player in college football.

The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet, will be held on Mon., Dec. 9 in Charlotte. In addition to the 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner’s announcement, the banquet will also celebrate the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award.

2019 Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Players of the Week
• Weekend of Aug. 31: Alijah Halliburton, Wyoming
• Weekend of Sept. 7: Evan Weaver, Cal
• Weekend of Sept. 14: David Reese II, Florida
• Weekend of Sept. 21: Demetrius Taylor, Appalachian State
• Weekend of Sept. 28: Benny Walls, Temple
• Weekend of Oct. 5: Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech
• Weekend of Oct. 12: Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina
• Weekend of Oct. 19: Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech