USA TODAY Sports

Junior safety Calen Bullock was named to the Nagurski Preseason Watch List, an award that honors the best defensive player in college football.

Jonathan Allen, Bradley Chubb, Chase Young, and Will Anderson Jr. highlight the award's recent honorees.

Bullock had a team-high five interceptions last season, good for 11-highest in college football. He returned one of his picks for a touchdown and added 48 total tackles on a defense that sometimes struggled to get ball carriers down.

If selected, Bullock would be the first Trojan to win the award since its inception in 1993.

After his strong season last year, Bullock was an AP All-Pac-12 First-Team selection and looked to add much-needed leadership to a young Trojan secondary. 

Bullock has the potential to be a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft should he put together another strong season. The Pasadena native started in all 14 of USC's games last year.

USC will begin their final season in the Pac-12 and will play marquee matchups against Washington, Oregon, UCLA, and Utah and will face a tough nine-week stretch after their Week 4 bye.

The Trojans' quest for their first College Football Playoff berth will begin Aug. 26 against the San Jose State Spartans.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
Knicks' Jalen Brunson suffers serious injury in Game 7 vs. Pacers
Phil Foden lifts Manchester City to fourth consecutive English Premier League title
Dodgers add recently acquired left-hander to active roster
Report: 2023 No. 7 pick expected to terminate KHL contract, join Flyers
Mavericks advance to Western Conference Finals aided by controversial call late
Connor McDavid, Oilers hammer Canucks to force Game 7
Tyson Fury-Oleksandr Usyk epic increases excitement for potential rematch
Seize the Grey wins in muddy Preakness
Even Mike Budenholzer admits the Suns need a point guard
Watch: Juan Soto's first multi-homer game as a Yankee
Xander Schauffele, Collin Morikawa lead at PGA Championship
Knicks could get major boost for Game 7 showdown with Pacers
Giants All-Star pitcher suffers setback in recovery from injury
Panthers star named winner of 2024 Selke Trophy
WNBA to investigate $100,000 sponsorship deals for Aces players
Tiger Woods blames one big factor for missing the cut at PGA Championship
'Ain't good enough': Draymond Green claims Celtics must 'win it all' or it's a 'failure'
Blue Jays GM wants struggling club to feel 'massive sense of urgency'
Raptors expected to flip former NBA champion during the offseason

Want more USC news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.