Courtesy of UNLV Athletics

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV sophomore Andre Porter continued adding to his honors Tuesday by being named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week, as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.

Porter was also tabbed the Frisco Bowl National Defensive Player of the Week after his heroics.

The local product from Liberty High School made the biggest play of the game in the Rebels' 13-7 victory over North Dakota State at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday. His 23-yard interception return for a touchdown gave his team a 7-0 lead and gave handed the previously undefeated Bison their first deficit of the season. In the fourth quarter, with NDSU looking to take the lead, his quarterback sack and forced fumble instead led to a punt as UNLV held a conference foe to its fewest points at home since 2007.

Porter, who is the son of former Rebel safety Donnell Porter, was named Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. He becomes the third Rebel to earn the Nagurski national honor, joining current Miami Dolphins linebacker Jackson Woodard in 2024 and UNLV Athletics Hall of Fame safety Jamaal Brimmer in 2003.

Each week during the regular season, the FWAA has selected a Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week since 2001. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce finalists for the 2026 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 19. The national defensive player of the year will be chosen from those finalists who are part of the 2026 FWAA All-America Team and presented with the trophy at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet on Dec. 7 at the Charlotte Convention Center, and the winner will also be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards live on ESPN on Dec. 11.

Porter and the Rebels head to Air Force this weekend in a game televised by CBS Sports Network starting at 12:30 pm PT. The next UNLV home game is on Halloween vs. NIU at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are vaialbing now by visiting UNLVtickets.com or calling (702) 739-FANS.