Trio of Gators Named to Outland, Nagurski Watch Lists
Tuesday, July 24, 2018 | Football
2018 Outland Trophy Watch List | 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Three Florida Gators – offensive lineman Martez Ivey, defensive end Cece Jefferson and linebacker David Reese – were named to the 2018 watch lists announced by the Football Writers Association of America on Tuesday.
Ivey earned one of the 82 spots on the Outland Trophy watch list, while Jefferson and Reese were two of 96 players on the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list.
Ivey, a senior majoring in African-American studies, played and started in all 11 games last season. He started the first nine games at left tackle and the final two contests of the season at left guard. He was only one of two Gators offensive linemen to start every game. The Apopka, Fla. Native was named to the Second Team All-SEC by the league's Coaches and the AP, while garnering Third Team All-SEC honors by Athlon sports.
Jefferson, a three-year starter, choose to return for his senior season at UF 
after considering the NFL draft. The African-American studies major played in all 11 games and recorded eight starts at defensive end. Overall, the Glen St. Mary, Fla. native recorded 47 tackles, which ranked fourth on the team. He led the team in tackles-for-loss (13.5 for 38 yards) and sacks (4.5 for 14 yards). He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his career-best 1.5 sack performance against Kentucky. He also recorded one pass breakup and six quarterback hurries, which ranked second on the team.
Reese, a sports management major, claimed his fourth preseason watch list selection after not missing a start last season after returning from surgery on both wrists. The Farmington, MI. native led the team in tackles (102) and finished second on the team in tackles-for-loss (10). He also tallied 1.5 sacks, one interception and one quarterback hurry in 2017. Reese became the third Gators linebacker to record 100-plus tackles in a season since 2007 and only the second since 2010. He surpassed the 100-tackle mark when he posted a career-best 14 tackles against Florida State. He led the team in tackling in 10 out of the 11 games and became the first Gator linebacker to intercept a pass since 2017. Reese enters his junior season with 23 games played, 151 tackles, 12 tackles-for-loss and one defensive PAT.
The Outland Trophy presented by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases honors the nation's most outstanding interior lineman. The Charlotte Touchdown Club and the FWAA present the Bronko Nagurski Trophy annually to the National Defensive Player of the Year.
The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Werner Enterprises Outland Trophy Awards Dinner produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee on Jan. 9, 2019 in Omaha, Neb. The annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet, presented by ACN, will be held on Dec. 3 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
NCFAA Preseason Watch Lists Unveiling Schedule
May 30
- Rimington Trophy (spring watch list)
July 16
- Bednarik Award
July 20
- Rimington Trophy
July 23
- Butkus Award
July 24
- Bronko Nagurski Award
- Outland Trophy
July 25
- Lou Groza Award
- Ray Guy Award
July 26
- Paul Hornung Award
- Wuerffel Trophy
July 27
- Walter Camp Award
