Dogs' Pollack named finalist for 2002 Bronko Naguarski Trophy

ATHENS - University of Georgia sophomore defensive end David Pollack has been named as one of the five finalists for the 2002 Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the best defensive player in college football by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte Touchdown Club. <br> <br> Along with Pollack, the other finalists are: Maryland linebacker E.J. Henderson, Kansas State cornerback Terence Newman, Arizona State end Terrell Suggs and Notre Dame cornerback Shane Walton. The finalists were selected by the FWAA All-America Committee, which is geographically balanced across the country. <br> <br> The winner will be named on Dec. 9 at a banquet in Charlotte, N.C. All the players are first time finalists for the FWAA Defensive Player of the Year Award, which is in its 10th year of existence. Former Georgia All-American and current Washington Redskins cornerback Champ Bailey was the 1998 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner. <br> <br> Pollack, a 6-3, 264-pound sophomore, leads the Southeastern Conference and is fourth nationally in quarterback sacks with 11. He is Georgia&#39;s most active defensive player and also leads the SEC with 19 tackles for a loss of 93 yards and 28 quarterback pressures. Additionally, he has blocked a punt, a field goal and has two interceptions this year. <br> <br> He is threatening the Georgia single-season record for sacks needing just two more to tie Mitch Davis&#39; record of 13 in 1993. Pollack ranks third on the team in tackles with 90 including a career-high 10 solo stops in Georgia&#39;s win over Auburn last Saturday that clinched the SEC Eastern Division crown. Earlier this season, Pollack earned CBS Player of the Game and SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in the win over South Carolina. His play featured an interception for a touchdown, a fumble recovery at the Georgia 2 yard line and a career-high 14 tackles.