Illini DE a Nagurski finalist

Illini junior defensive end Whitney Mercilus has been named one of five finalists for the 2011 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, given annually to the nation’s best defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

Mercilus leads the nation in sacks, sacks per game and forced fumbles while ranking fourth nationally in tackles for loss per game.

The other finalists are Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still, Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly, Alabama safety Mark Barron and LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne.

Mercilus, a native of Akron, Ohio, has 47 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, seven forced fumbles and six quarterback hurries. He entered the season with 24 tackles, 6.5 TFLs and two sacks in his two previous seasons.

Mercilus leads the Big Ten in sacks, sacks per game (1.75), forced fumbles and tackles for loss per game (1.75). He already has broken Illinois’ single-season record for forced fumbles and is one shy of tying the Big Ten record. He also is 3.5 sacks away from tying former two-time All-America Simeon Rice’s school season record of 16 sacks.

Mercilus also is a semifinalist for the Bednarik Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive player, and the Rotary Lombardi Award, given annually to the nation’s top offensive or defensive lineman or linebacker.

The Nagurski Trophy winner will be announced at a gala at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 12. The award is named for former Minnesota fullback/defensive tackle Bronko Nagurski, who dominated college football from 1927-29.