AMES, Iowa – Iowa State senior defensive back T.J. Tampa has been named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List. The trophy is awarded annually to the nation’s top defensive player.

Tampa, a preseason All-Big 12 pick by the league’s coaches, returns for his senior season after earning All-Big 12 Second Team honors in 2022.

The St. Petersburg, Florida, native started all 12 games last season and finished sixth on the team with 40 tackles, including five stops for a loss. He had his first career interception against Oklahoma State and finished with a team-high nine pass breakups, which tied for fourth most in the Big 12 Conference. He had one of the biggest plays of the season for the Cyclones, forcing a fumble at the goal line against Iowa that was recovered by teammate Kendell Jackson.

Pro Football Focus ranks Tampa as the highest graded returning cornerback in the Big 12 Conference.