The 2025 watch list includes 60 defensive standouts from 41 schools in eight FBS conferences plus Independents, including 10 selections from the Big 12. By position, the list includes 21 linebackers, 11 defensive ends/edge rushers, 10 cornerbacks, 10 defensive tackles and the eight safeties.

In July, Kelly was named preseason All-Big 12 Second Team by Phil Steele and Athlon Sports. As a junior in 2024 he was named College Football Network All-Big 12 First Team as well as the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and the Defensive Transfer of the Year. In addition, Kelly was also named Phil Steele Big 12 All-Conference Third Team and received honorable mention by the conference head coaches as the Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year.

Prior to the 2024 season, the 6-2, 240-pound linebacker from Kearns, Utah, was named to the Butkus Award Watch List and the East-West Shrine Bowl Watch List.

Players may be added or removed from the Bronko Nagurski watch list throughout the course of the 2025 season. As in previous years, the FWAA will also announce a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday. If not already on the watch list, the player of the week will be added at that time.

The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce four finalists for the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy in November, with the winner being revealed at the Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 8 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Since 1993, the FWAA has chosen a national defensive player of the year. In 1995, the award was named in honor of the legendary two-way player Bronko Nagurski, who dominated college football before becoming a star for the Chicago Bears in the 1930s.

Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team.