From UCLA:

pair of Bruin football standouts, junior linebacker Akeem Ayers and junior safety Rahim Moore, appear on the 2010 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List which features the best of the upcoming season’s defensive players. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is awarded annually to the nation’s best defensive player by the Football Writers Association of America and the Charlotte,NC Touchdown Club.

Ayers, a full-time starter for the first time last season, led the Bruins with four forced fumbles and was second on the squad with 6.0 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He tied a UCLA season record with two touchdowns on interceptions (Oregon / Temple) and scored three defensive touchdowns in all (one fumble return – ASU).

Moore, who was named to several All-American teams, led the nation in 2009 with 10 interceptions, one shy of the school record and the most by an FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) player since 2003. His career total of 13 interceptions is tied for seventh on the UCLA all-time list. Moore’s interception average of 0.77 also led the nation. He ranked second in the nation in passes defensed (1.31).

The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy on November 18.The annual Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be on Dec. 6 at the Westin Hotel in Charlotte, N.C.

The UCLA football team will open the 2010 season on Sept. 4 at Kansas State. Stanford visits the Rose Bowl on Sept. 11 in the Bruin home opener.