Jimmy Kennedy has been selected to the preliminary Watch List for the 2002 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, an award that is given to the nation's top defensive football player.

Kennedy was a first-team All-Big Ten tackle last season, making him the first Penn State defensive tackle to be named the All-Big Ten first team since Tyoka Jackson in 1993. He is one of 14 players from Big Ten teams on the Watch List.

Kennedy, who is also on the Watch List for the Lombardi Award, had 51 tackles last year, 1.5 sacks and a blocked field goal. Kennedy was superb in Penn State's home finale against Indiana with eight tackles, including one for a loss, helping to hold Hoosiers quarterback Antwaan Randle-El to 14 points.

Oklahoma's defensive back, Roy Williams, won the award last season. Penn State All-Americans LaVar Arrington and Courtney Brown were finalists for the Nagurski Trophy in 1999.