University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: AINSLEY E. FAUTH
Abou Jaoude Named To Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List
August 4, 2026 | Football
North Carolina defensive lineman Melkart Abou Jaoude has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List, which is presented annually to the top defensive player in college football.
Abou Jaoude was a Second Team All-ACC selection a season ago, after ranking fifth nationally and leading the conference in sacks with 10.5 following the regular season. That mark was the sixth most in a single season in Tar Heel history.
He played 646 snaps, the most by a defensive lineman in the ACC. Abou Jaoude recorded 47 tackles in 2025, the fourth most on the team. He was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after tallying a game-high six tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble in Carolina's 27-10 win at Syracuse.
The Newton, New Jersey, native had three sacks in a game twice last season, accomplishing the feat against Virginia and Stanford. In addition to his sack total, Abou Jaoude had 12 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2026 trophy on Nov. 19. The official presentation to the recipient of the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C. on Dec. 7.
The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
The Tar Heels will kick off the 2026 season on Saturday, Aug. 29, in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic against TCU in Dublin, Ireland. That game is set for noon ET (5 p.m. local time) on ESPN from Aviva Stadium.
Season and single-game tickets for Carolina Football can be purchased by clicking here.
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Abou Jaoude was a Second Team All-ACC selection a season ago, after ranking fifth nationally and leading the conference in sacks with 10.5 following the regular season. That mark was the sixth most in a single season in Tar Heel history.
He played 646 snaps, the most by a defensive lineman in the ACC. Abou Jaoude recorded 47 tackles in 2025, the fourth most on the team. He was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after tallying a game-high six tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble in Carolina's 27-10 win at Syracuse.
The Newton, New Jersey, native had three sacks in a game twice last season, accomplishing the feat against Virginia and Stanford. In addition to his sack total, Abou Jaoude had 12 tackles for loss, five quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2026 trophy on Nov. 19. The official presentation to the recipient of the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy will be at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C. on Dec. 7.
The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association's full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.
The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football's Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw "Bronko" Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.
The Tar Heels will kick off the 2026 season on Saturday, Aug. 29, in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic against TCU in Dublin, Ireland. That game is set for noon ET (5 p.m. local time) on ESPN from Aviva Stadium.
Season and single-game tickets for Carolina Football can be purchased by clicking here.
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Players Mentioned
Defensive Line
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