In a private presentation ceremony, Zaven Collins was presented with the 2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which honors college football's national defensive player of the year. He was announced the award winner on December 23.

The award winner is chosen by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and awarded by the Charlotte Touchdown Club presented by Lending Tree. Longtime Tulsa sportswriter John Hoover, a member of the FWAA, presented the award to Collins today at The University of Tulsa.

At 6'4", 260 pounds, Collins was one of the most dynamic defenders in college football. He has totaled 54 tackles, 11.5 TFLs for minus 49 yards, four sacks for minus 25 yards, four interceptions for 152 return yards, two TDs off INTs, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery, as well as one safety, in eight games. Two of Collins' interceptions were game-clinchers, including a pickoff against No. 19 SMU that ended any possible final scoring drive for the Mustangs and his pick-6 in overtime against Tulane that he took 96 yards for the game-winning score.

A consensus All-America selection, Collins was also honored with the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Lombardi Award. He was also unanimously chosen as the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first player in league history to earn unanimous player-of-the-year honors, and also receiving unanimous first-team all-AAC accolades.

Collins joins a long and impressive list of Nagurski winners, including Bradley Chubb (2017), Aaron Donald (2013), Luke Kuechly (2012), Ndamukong Suh (2009), Terrell Suggs (2002), Champ Bailey (1998), Charles Woodson (1997) and Warren Sapp (1994). Last year's winner was Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. Collins and Temple linebacker Tyler Matakevich, the 2015 recipient, are the only two Nagurski winners from a Group of Five school, both hailing from institutions in the American Athletic Conference.

Collins was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week after his performance in Tulsa's 28-24 comeback win over SMU. He totaled six tackles, two TFLs for -10 yards, one sack for -9 yards and one QB hurry to go along with his game-sealing interception.

In four games against top-25 opponents this season –– #11 Oklahoma State, #11 UCF, #19 SMU and #6 Cincinnati –– Collins had 25 solo tackles among his 35 total stops and 10 TFL's for minus 45 yards, four sacks and two interceptions. Collins opened the season with six tackles, all solos, four stops for -24 yards and three sacks for -16 yards against the No. 11-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys.

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 Halls of Fame.
The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org and @NCFAA on Twitter to learn more about the association.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of 1,300 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.

About the Charlotte Touchdown Club
The Charlotte Touchdown Club is a non-profit organization founded in 1990 for the purpose of promoting high school, collegiate, and professional football in the Charlotte, N.C., region. The club's activities and services focus community attention on the outstanding citizenship, scholarship, sportsmanship, and leadership of area athletes and coaches. Since 1990, the club has raised more than $2 million to benefit area high school and collegiate athletics..