The Football Writers Association of America named Illini junior cornerback Vontae Davis to the preseason Watch List for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top defensive player.

After finishing the 2007 season sixth in the Big Ten in both interceptions and passes defended, Davis garnered first-team All-Big Ten honors in his second season starting at cornerback for Illinois.

The 2008 award, sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club, will be presented at a banquet on Sunday, Dec.7. Last year’s list of finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy included LSU’s Glenn Dorsey, Virginia’s Chris Long, and Kansas’ Aqib Talib, all three of whom were first round selections in the 2008 NFL Draft.