Bazile and Green Named to 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Two of Liberty's standout defensive players from last year have been recognized as national defensive leaders heading into the 2024 season.

Defensive end CJ Bazile, Jr. and safety Brylan Green have both been selected to the 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the award honoring the best defensive player in college football.

The 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list is comprised of 75 defensive standouts from 56 schools in nine Division I FBS conferences plus independents.

Conference USA placed three players on the preseason watch list. Bazile and Green were joined by UTEP defensive end Maurice Westmoreland

Bazile, the 2024 CUSA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, earned Conference USA All-Conference honorable mention accolades in 2023 after starting all 14 games at Liberty's Joker position (defensive end/outside linebacker).

The native of Miami, Fla., finished the year with 49 tackles (20 solo, 29 assisted) and led the Flames with 10.5 tackles for a loss (29 yards). He also added 3.0 sacks (12 yards) and recorded a team-high 11 quarterback hurries.

In addition to his CUSA honors, the rising junior was named to the Phil Steele Postseason Conference USA third team and the VaSID All-State second team.

Green was named to the FWAA All-America second team in 2023, becoming the first player in program history to be named to the FWAA All-America Team at the FBS level.

Green put together an outstanding year for the Flames, pacing Liberty's national leading defense.

Liberty finished 2023 ranked No. 1 in the country in passes intercepted (21). Individually, Green ranked No. 6 in total interceptions (5) and No. 13 in interceptions per game (0.4).

The native of Opelousas, La., played in 13 games and finished the year with 38 tackles (28 solo, 10 assisted). He also led the Flames with eight punt returns for 58 yards (7.3 yards per return).

Green was also named to HERO Sports G5 All-America first team, the VaSID All-State first team, Conference USA All-Conference first team and Phil Steele Postseason Conference USA All-Conference first team.

The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2024 trophy on Nov. 20 and the winner will be unveiled Dec. 9 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C.

2024 Liberty Football Season Tickets Information
Season tickets for the 2024 Liberty Football season are on sale now! Starting at just $120, members of Flames Nation can secure their spot at Williams Stadium this fall to watch the Flames defend their CUSA conference title and earn their way into the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

Liberty's exciting 2024 slate includes home games against AAC foe East Carolina (Sept. 21) and CUSA home games against UTEP (Sept. 14), FIU (Oct. 8), Jax State (Oct. 30) and WKU (Nov. 23).
      You can purchase your 2024 Liberty Football season tickets now at www.LUFootball.com or call/text (434) 592-5015.

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Bazile and Green Named to 2024 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

Players Mentioned

CJ Bazile, Jr.

Brylan Green

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