Heel Tough Blog: Melkart Abou Jaoude Lands on Bronco Nagurski Trophy Watch List

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With the start of the college football season less than a month away, certain award committees are starting to release their watch lists for this upcoming season. Among those doing so this week is the Bronco Nagurski Trophy committee, who named a Tar Heel edge rusher on their list on Tuesday.

Following a breakout junior season with the program, Melkart Abou Jaoude has been named as a player to watch for one of the nation’s most prestigious defensive awards heading into this season.

Last season Abou Jaoude finished with 47 total tackles, 12.0 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 42 total quarterback pressures, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery while playing 646 snaps across 12 games. Despite that success and being the conference’s leader in returning sack production, Abou Jaoude was not named a preseason All-ACC member late last month.

When it comes to how Abou Jaoude can take that next step this season, it’s all about putting together a more consistent season. While last year was a major success, 8.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks came in a three-game span in the middle of the season. The good news is that the pressure numbers stayed steady late in the season when the sacks slowed down and the hope is that he’ll be able to turn some of those pressures into sacks down the stretch this season. If he does that, he could put together another strong season and at least have himself in the conversation for this award and more postseason recognition late in the season.