BC Interruption, a Boston College Eagles community

Bowers was honored for his dominance Monday night with the Bronko Nagurski Trophy as the nation's top defensive player, an award he wishes he could share with his father and his mentor.

Playing with a heavy heart following the deaths this year of his father, Dennis, and close friend Gaines Adams of the Chicago Bears, Bowers burst onto the scene after two mediocre years. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound junior leads the nation with 15½ sacks and his 25 tackles for a loss rank second in the country.

"It's very big for me, personally," Bowers said. "It's very big for my program at Clemson University and it's very big for my family and community."