DALLAS – Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware has been named the FWAA/Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Tigers’ 42-36 victory over Louisville last Saturday night.

Boulware, a 6-foot, 235-pound senior from Anderson, S.C., posted a career-high 18 tackles in the ACC Atlantic Division showdown. He had three tackles for loss, including a sack, recovered a fumble and deflected a pass. Eight of his tackles were unassisted.

“He’s just the heart and soul of our defense,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “He’s the epitome of a football player. That guy is a grinder.”

Boulware is already on the Bronko Nagurski Watch List. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2016 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Thurs., Nov. 17. The winner will be chosen from those five finalists who are part of the 2016 FWAA All-America Team.

The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s entire membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalists. The committee members then select the winner as the best defensive player in college football.

—Staff Reports