LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV linebacker Jackson Woodard continued adding to his hefty haul of honors Wednesday by being named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

The senior from Little Rock, Arkansas, was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week and is the league's co-preseason defensive player of the year. The preseason first team all-league pick is a member of the official watch lists for the Nagurski Trophy as well as the Butkus Award and Chuck Bednarik Award.

The team captain turned in perhaps his best game as a Rebel in Saturday's 27-7 victory at Houston. Woodard posted a game-high 11 total tackles, including seven solo, and surpassed his entire junior season total in quarterback sacks with three takedowns vs. the Cougars. He tallied a fourth tackle-for-loss for a total of 28 yards lost in the game and added a pass breakup as well.

Woodard is the first Rebel to earn the Nagurski national honor since UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame safety Jamaal Brimmer was chosen after his legendary performance in an upset win at Wisconsin in 2003.

Each week during the regular season, the FWAA has selected a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week since 2001. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 20. The national defensive player of the year will be chosen from those finalists who are part of the 2024 FWAA All-America Team and presented with the trophy at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on December 9 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

Woodard and the Rebels will open their home schedule on Saturday by hosting Utah Tech. Kickoff at Allegiant Stadium is set for noon. Season, single-game and mini-plan tickets are all on sale now by calling (702) 739-FANS or visiting unlvtickets.com.

-UNLV-