DALLAS (FWAA) – Maryland linebacker E.J. Henderson was named the Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Week on Monday by a panel of FWAA members.
The FWAA (Football Writers Association of America) and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will pick a Defensive Player of the Week each Monday during the rest of the regular season. Henderson will be added to the Watch List for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy which will be presented on Dec. 10 in Charlotte, N.C., by the FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.
Henderson, a 6-foot-2, 238-pound junior, matched his career high with 18 total tackles (13 unassisted) in. Maryland's victory over Georgia Tech. He recovered a fumble and returned it 32 yards for Maryland's first touchdown. He had four tackles for losses and one sack of Georgia Tech quarterback George Godsey. Henderson played every defensive snap and also had a tackle on special teams.
Defensive back James King, a redshirt freshman from Central Michigan, won the first weekly award this season. North Carolina's junior defensive end Julius Peppers claimed the second weekly award with his performance in the Tar Heels' 41-9 victory over Florida State. Linebacker Dan Dawson of Rice won the third Bronko Nagurski Player of the Week honor with a standout defensive performance in the Owls' 27-24 victory over Hawaii. Last week, Oklahoma safety Roy Williams claimed the award for his performance in Oklahoma's 14-3 victory over Texas.