Notre Dame Football: Gilman, Kareem, Okwara make Nagurski Award watch list

The accolades keep rolling in for Notre Dame football players when it comes to award watch lists. Three Irish players are on the Nagurski Award watch list.

Notre Dame football players are getting a good deal of recognition this summer, racking up the sports on award watch lists. And while making lists for these awards doesn’t mean a ton, it’s a good indication of the success a program has had. More players on watch lists is never a bad thing.

This time, three Notre Dame players–Alohi Gilman, Khalid Kareem, and Julian Okwara–have made the Bronco Nagurski Award, which goes to the best defensive player in college football.

For Gilman, it’s the second time he’s made the watch list for such an award in as many days. For Kareem and Okwara, it’s their second watch list, as well, as both players gained recognition by making the Bednarik watch list, as well.

Notre Dame typically hasn’t had many of the type of players who would garner consideration for the best defensive player in the country, but now they have three play. That’s certainly an indication that recruiting, skill development, and strength training is at its premium in recent years.

I’ve said this before about other Irish players on other watch lists: Notre Dame players are in a great position to start winning some of these awards as the Irish continue to gain the respect of those who follow college football closely. The Irish will likely find themselves in and around the College Football Playoff discussion, which means that Irish players will have plenty of opportunities to impress those who decide the winners of such awards. Gilman, Kareem, and Okwara will be at the forefront of what the Irish will do defensively.

While there are some questions on the Notre Dame defense at the linebacker position, the Irish defense will be in good hands with these three players leading the way for defensive coordinator Clark Lea.