Ed Oliver Named Nagurski Trophy Finalist
11/15/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
HOUSTON -- A first team All-American as a true freshman, Houston sophomore defensive tackle Ed Oliver has been named a finalist for the 2017 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented annually to the nation's top defensive player, The Charlotte Touchdown Club and the Football Writers Association of America announced Wednesday.
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Oliver leads the nation with a career average of 1.48 tackles for loss per game, totaling 33 tackles for loss in only 21 career games played.
This season, despite losing a game to Hurricane Harvey and missing three quarters of another from picking up a knee injury at Temple on Sept. 30 that limited him in the next four games, Oliver is third on the Houston team with 53 tackles, which rank fourth nationally among all defensive tackles and second among all tackles playing on a three-man front.
His 10 tackles for loss, seven quarterback hurries and 2.5 sacks all lead the Cougars. He has also broken up three passes, blocked a field goal, forced two fumbles and recovered a fumble. Oliver's 10 tackles for loss also rank second nationally among defensive tackles playing in a three-man front.
He's recorded multiple tackles for loss in three games this season and now has 11 career games with multiple tackles for loss. Constantly double and triple teamed, Oliver has at least five tackles in six of nine games this season.
With two forced fumbles this season, Oliver now has five for his career and ranks fifth nationally with a career average of 0.23 forced fumbles per game. His next forced fumble would move him into eighth on the Houston career records chart.
Oliver's sophomore season follows a freshman campaign that saw the Houston native earn First Team All-America honors from seven different national outlets as he led The American and finished second nationally with 23 tackles for loss. He also led all defensive linemen nationally with nine pass breakups en route to claiming The American's Rookie of the Year honor.
Oliver is one of five finalists for the award, joining NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb, Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell and Georgia linebacker Roquan Smith in earning the distinction.
