BOONE, N.C. ? For the second-straight year, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) has tabbed Appalachian State University defensive back Mark LeGree (Columbus, Ga./Pacelli Catholic) as one of 74 players ? and the only NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) representative ? on the official Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list. The Nagurski Trophy is presented annually to the nation’s top NCAA Division I defensive player.

Like last year, LeGree is the only player from a non-Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision ? formerly Division I-A) program recognized on the official Nagurski watch list.

LeGree has recorded all of his 17 career interceptions over the past two seasons, including an ASU-record and FCS-leading 10 as a sophomore in 2008 and seven as a junior last year. He led the Southern Conference in interceptions both years and is a two-time All-American and Buck Buchanan Award (nation’s top FCS defensive player) finalist. The six-foot, 200-pounder’s 17 interceptions rank fifth in Appalachian history. 

The Nagurski Trophy is awarded by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. The trophy has been presented since 1993 and is awarded in memory of the legendary Nagurski, an All-America lineman at Minnesota from 1927-29 and a star for the Chicago Bears in the 1930s. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the award on Nov. 18 and the winner will be named on Dec. 6 at the annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte.

Appalachian, which went 11-3, won its fifth-straight SoCon championship and reached the NCAA Division I semifinals a season ago, begins preparations for the 2010 campaign in earnest on Aug. 6 when it opens fall camp. The Mountaineers open the season on Sept. 4 at SoCon-rival Chattanooga.