The Football Writers Association of America announced the preseason watch list for the 2022 Outland Trophy, recognizing 89 returning standout interior linemen representing all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents. The 2022 season will close with the award’s 77th anniversary and the watch list offers a talented field of players to accompany two returning FWAA All-Americans.

The recipient of the 2022 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN on Thurs., Dec. 8. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 11, 2023.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 25 years.

Atop the list are two returning FWAA All-Americans, Baylor center Jacob Gall and Michigan center Olusegun Oluwatimi, each a second-team All-America selection last year. Gall, a redshirt senior, is one of three Baylor players on the list, tops in nation among the 67 teams represented along with Clemson and defending national champion Georgia. Oluwatimi, now a graduate student, will be in the middle of Michigan’s offensive line this fall after transferring from Virginia, where he guided the country’s third-leading offense up front, one that averaged 516.3 yards per game.

Like Baylor, Clemson and Georgia’s three nominees are split between the offensive and defensive lines. The Bulldogs (first, 10.2 ppg) and Tigers (second, 14.8) were the top two scoring defenses in 2021. Returning off the Bulldogs’ stalwart defense that was second in rushing and total defense and included 2021 Outland Trophy winner Jordan Davis at defensive tackle, is his likely replacement Jalen Carter. The junior was a second-team All-SEC pick by the conference coaches last year despite playing behind two first-round NFL draft picks (Davis and fellow tackle Devonte Wyatt). Carter is joined by redshirt sophomore offensive tackle Broderick Jones and senior guard Warren Ericson.

Cincinnati, which qualified for the playoff with its standout defense a year ago, has two players on the list but both are on offense. Jake Renfro, a junior center, will guide the Bearcats’ front with senior offensive tackle Dylan O’Quinn on the outside. The pair of players from Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin led the Big Ten’s list of 11 players from eight different schools, second only to the SEC. Three of its 11 are defensive tackles – redshirt senior Jacob Slade of Michigan State, senior PJ Mustipher of Penn State and senior nose Keeanu Benton of Wisconsin.

Boise State, BYU, Miami, Notre Dame, Oregon, Pitt, Troy, USC and Utah also have two players on the list. The Atlantic Coast Conference had 11 players with the Big 12 and Pac-12 each with 10 followed by the American Athletic, Mountain West and Sun Belt Conferences plus the Independents with six each. Conference USA has five selections and the Mid-American Conference four. There are 29 offensive tackles on this year’s list, just ahead of 25 defensive tackles to go with 18 centers and 17 guards. Just over half of the 131 Football Bowl Subdivision schools – 67 – are represented on the list.

The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.

The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.

The Outland Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses college football’s most prestigious awards. The NCFAA’s 25 awards have honored more than 800 recipients since 1935. Visit NCFAA.org for more information.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 25 years. He writes College Football Mondays weekly during the season. He is a longtime scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game. He does sports radio shows for CBS, ESPN and Sporting News on a year-round basis related to NFL and College Football especially during the postseason team and All-star Bowl time. He has worked for CBS Sports, NBC Sports, Yahoo and Rivals sports publications and web sites

College Football Mondays
Draft Insiders’ – College All-American Teams 2021

SEC and Big Ten Dominates First Two Teams
Staff

First Team
Offense

Pos       Player               Team                Year
QB Bryce Young           Alabama           Sophomore
RB Kenneth Walker III   Michigan St       Junior
RB Breece Hall             Iowa St             Junior
WR Jameson Williams   Alabama           Junior
WR David Bell               Purdue             Junior
WR Jordan Addison      Pittsburgh         Soph
TE Trey McBride           Colorado St       Senior
C Tyler Linderbaum       Iowa                 Junior
OL Evan Neal                 Alabama           Junior
OL Charles Cross           Mississippi St.   Junior
OL Ikem Okwonu             NC St               Sophomore
OL Nicholas Petit-Frere   Ohio St             Junior

Defense

DL Aidan Hutchinson      Michigan           Senior
DL Jordan Davis             Georgia             Senior
DL DeMarvin Leal          Texas A&M       Junior
DL Jermaine Johnson II  Florida St          Senior
LB Will Anderson Jr.       Alabama           Sophomore
LB Nakobe Dean             Georgia            Junior
LB Devin Lloyd              Utah                 Junior
LB David Ojabo              Michigan           Junior
CB Ahmad Gardner       Cincinnati          Junior
CB Roger McCreary       Auburn              Junior
S Kyle Hamilton             Notre Dame      Junior
S Jalen Pitre                    Baylor               Senior

Special Teams
K Jake Moody               Michigan           Senior
P Matt Araiza                San Diego St     Junior
KR Zonovan Knight       NC St               Sophomore
PR Britain Covey           Utah                 Junior
AP Marcus Jones          Houston            Senior

Second Team

Offense
QB Kenny Pickett          Pittsburgh         Senior
RB Tyler Badie              Missouri            Senior
RB Kyren Williams         Notre Dame      Soph
WR Chris Olave            Ohio State        Senior
WR Treylon Burks         Arkansas          Junior
WR Garrett Wilson        Ohio State        Junior
TE Michael Mayer          Notre Dame      Soph
C Jarrett Patterson        Notre Dame      Junior
OL Darian Kinnard         Kentucky          Senior
OL Zion Johnson           Boston College Senior
OL Kenyon Green         Texas A&M       Junior
OL Sean Rhyan            UCLA               Junior

Defense
DL Kayvon Thibodeaux  Oregon             Junior
DL Will McDonald IV      Iowa St             Junior
DL Myjai Sanders          Cincinnati          Senior
DL George Karlaftis       Purdue             Junior
LB Damone Clark          LSU                  Senior
LB Leo Chenal              Wisconsin         Senior
LB Nik Bonitto               Oklahoma         Junior
LB Sam Williams           Ole Miss           Senior
CB Coby Bryant            Cincinnati          Senior
CB Riley Moss              Iowa                 Senior
S Jordan Battle             Alabama           Junior
S Jaquan Brisker           Penn St            Senior

Special Teams
K Noah Ruggles            Ohio St             Senior
P Jordan Stout              Penn St            Senior
KR Brian Battie             South Florida    Soph
PR Marcus Jones          Houston            Senior
AP Deuce Vaughn         Kansas St         Soph

Bama’s Bryce Young Wins 2021 Heisman Trophy
Back to Back Alabama Heisman Award Winners

Alabama’s QB Bryce Young parlayed an outstanding 2021 season to win the Heisman Trophy 2021 after leading the Crimson Tide to the SEC title early this month. Young also won the Maxwell Award, given to the best player in college football, and the Davey O’Brien Award, given to the nation’s top quarterback last week.

Young ran away in the voting of this year’s Heisman Trophy, winning the award in a ceremony in New York City on Saturday night. He built a strong resume with several big wins this fall, including a dramatic late overtime comeback vs arch rival Auburn. His best performance came in the SEC title game vs undefeated Georgia, the nation’s top ranked defense.

The sophomore is a former 5-star prospect from California. Young entered the season with huge expectations as the main choice to replace former Crimson Tide QB and NFL 1st-round pick Mac Jones.

During the national coaching convention this summer, Alabama coach Nick Saban let the media know that Young, without even starting a game, would become the highest earning name and image which becomes available to college athletes for the first time this year.

Young not only lived up to the hype, beginning with a 4 TD performance in a season-opening win over then-#14 Miami before going on the road to beat #11 Florida two weeks later. in a dramatic come-from-behind win at Auburn to close out the regular season and then by dominating Georgia and its top ranked defense in the SEC championship game a week later, that Young sealed his Heisman victory.

He showed the ability to keep calm under pressure, avoid the pass rush and find the open receiver. An accurate passer, he completed 68.0% of his attempts with few interceptions. Young’s final credentials included a strong 43 TD passes and only 4 interceptions.

With Young winning this year’s Heisman Trophy, Alabama became the sixth school to win the award in back-to-back seasons. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith won it last year. The Tide’s other recemt Heisman winners include running backs Derrick Henry and Mark Ingram II, all coming during the Nick Saban era.

Michigan defensive end and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, Aidan Hutchinson finished second in this year’s voting, followed by Pittsburgh QB Kenny Pickett and Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud.

On Dec. 31, #1 Alabama will play #4 Cincinnati in the CFP Semifinal at the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.

College Football Award Winners 2021

Heisman Trophy Award – Sat, Dec 11, ESPN
The Home Depot College Football Awards – Thurs, Dec, 9, 2021

Below is a list of the winners:

Maxwell Award – Player of the Year
– Bryce Young, QB Alabama

Walter Camp Award – Player of the Year
– Kenneth Walker III, RB Michigan State

AP Player of the Year –
Bryce Young, QB Alabama

Davey O’Brien Award – best QB
– Bryce Young, Alabama

Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award – top senior QB
– Kenny Pickett, Pitt

Doak Walker Award – best RB
– Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State

Fred Biletnikoff Award – best WR
– Jordan Addison, Pitt

John Mackey Award – best TE
– Trey McBride, Colorado State

Rimington Trophy – best Center
– Tyler Linderbaum, Iowa

Bronko Nagurski Trophy – best defensive player
– Will Anderson Jr., LB Alabama

Chuck Bednarik Award – defensive player of the year
– Jordan Davis, DT Georgia

Outland Trophy – best interior lineman
– Jordan Davis, DT Georgia

Lombardi Award – top lineman
– Aidan Hutchinson, DE Michigan

Butkus Award – best LBer
– Nakobe Dean, Georgia

Jim Thorpe Award – top defensive back
– Coby Bryant, CB Cincinnati

Lou Groza Award – top kicker
– Jake Moody, Michigan

Ray Guy Award – top punter
– Matt Araiza, San Diego State

The Home Depot Award – Coach of the Year
– Luke Fickell, Cincinnati

Broyles Award – best Assistant Coach
– Josh Gattis, Michigan offensive coordinator

Disney Spirit Award – Inspirational player/team
– Tre Tipton, WR Pitt

Wuerffel Trophy – Community service
– Isaiah Sanders, QB Stanford

Burlsworth Trophy – Top Former Walk-On
– Grant Morgan, LB Arkansas

William V. Campbell Trophy – Academic Heisman
– Charlie Kolar, TE Iowa State

College Football Playoff

Dec. 1, 2021

Michigan scored their most impressive victory of the Jim Harbaugh era with a strong win over rival Ohio State last week. The Wolverines upset the Buckeyes 42-27 at the Big House, that pushed them into the #2 spot of the new College Playoff rankings. The final rankings will determine which four teams will play in the two CFP semifinals on New Year’s Eve and will be released Sunday, Dec. 5 at noon on ESPN.

Unbeaten Georgia remained No. 1 for the fifth consecutive week, followed by Michigan, Alabama, Cincinnati, Oklahoma State and Notre Dame.

Michigan faces #13 Iowa this Saturday in the Big Ten championship game in Indianapolis. If they win they figure to play in a CFP semifinal at either the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic or Capital One Orange Bowl.

Georgia reached 12-0 for the first time since its last national championship season in 1980 with a 45-0 victory at Georgia Tech on Saturday. The Bulldogs play Alabama in Saturday’s SEC championship game in Atlanta. Georgia might get into the CFP even if it loses to the Crimson Tide because of its dominance this season. They may be the only club who could lose this week and still retain a position in the top four teams.

Undefeated Cincinnati plays Houston in the AAC Championship this Saturday and with a win they probably retain a position in the top four clubs. Both Oklahoma State and Notre Dame are one loss teams that need one of the top clubs to lose this week to move up a few positions to get into the magic four teams.

College Football Top Rankings

1. Georgia, SEC (12-0)
2. Michigan, Big Ten (11-1)
3. Alabama, SEC (11-1)
4. Cincinnati, AAC (12-0)
5. Oklahoma State, Big 12 (11-1)
6. Notre Dame, Independents (11-1)
7. Ohio State, Big Ten (10-2)
8. Ole Miss, SEC (10-2)
9. Baylor, Big 12 (10-2)
10. Oregon, Pac-12 (10-2
11. Michigan State, Big Ten (10-2)
12. BYU, Independents (10-2)
13. Iowa, Big Ten (10-2)
14. Oklahoma, Big 12 (10-2)
15. Pitt, ACC (10-2)
16. Wake Forest, ACC (10-2)
17. Utah, Pac-12 (9-3
18. N.C. State, ACC (9-3)
19. San Diego State, MW (11-1)
20. Clemson, ACC (9-3)
21. Houston, AAC (11-1)
22. Arkansas, SEC (8-4)
23. Kentucky, SEC (9-3)
24. Louisiana, Sun Belt (11-1)
25. Texas A&M, SEC (8-4)

By Conference: SEC 6, ACC 4, Big Ten 4, Big 12 3, American Athletic 2, Independents 2, Pac-12 2, Mountain West 1, Sun Belt 1.

About the College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff matches the No. 1 ranked team vs. No. 4, and No. 2 vs. No. 3 in semifinal games that rotate annually among six bowl games – the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Allstate Sugar Bowl and Rose Bowl Game presented by the Capital One Venture X card. This season’s Playoff Semifinals will take place Friday, December 31, 2021, at the Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl. The College Football Playoff National Championship will be Monday, January 10, 2022, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Walter Payton Award 2021 Watch List

UNI football’s Trevor Penning is the first offensive lineman to be named to this year’s Walter Payton Award watch list.

Penning was among 11 players added today, which now includes 46 players. The 2021 Stats Perform FCS Walter Payton Award is presented annually to the national offensive player of the year in college football’s Division I subdivision.

Trevor Penning is our #1 small college prospect and a potential high draft selection. He is scheduled to play in the 2022 Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.

For the 2021-22 Award Calendar- Player & Coach Awards – Go to www.draftinsiders.com

The Payton Award is celebrating its 35th anniversary season. It’s named for the legendary Hall of Fame running back. Past recipients include Steve McNair, Tony Romo, Brian Westbrook, Jimmy Garoppolo, Cooper Kupp and Trey Lance.

Penning became the first Panther to earn the Missouri Valley Football Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week award Oct. 25 following UNI’s win over No. 6 South Dakota State. He also earned MVFC First Team Preseason honors.

Newest members by position:

Quarterback
Davis Alexander, Portland State
Ren Hefley, Presbyterian
Keon Howard, UT Martin
Cole Johnson, James Madison
Shedeur Sanders, Jackson State
Jason Shelley, Missouri State
Xavier Shepherd, Kennesaw State

Running Back
Malik Grant, Sacred Heart
Isaiah Ifanse, Montana State

Wide Receiver
Xavier Gipson, Stephen F. Austin

Offensive Line
Trevor Penning, UNI

2021-22 College Award Calendar – Player & Coach Awards

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He is a member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff, Eddie Robinson etc for the past 25 years.

Award Dates

Award                                Watch List     Semifinalists    Finalist

Bednarik Award                         July 19             Nov. 1           Nov. 23                    Heisman Trophy

Biletnikoff Award                       July 22            Nov. 15             Nov. 23

Bronko Nagurski Trophy            July 27                                    Nov. 17

Broyles Award                                                     Nov 23              Nov. 29

Burlsworth Trophy                                             Nov. 9               Nov. 16

Butkus Award                            July 26             Nov. 1               Nov. 22

Davey O’Brien Award                July 20             Nov. 8               Nov. 23

Disney Sports Spirit Award

Doak Walker Award                   July 21             Nov. 16             Nov. 23

Eddie Robinson Award                                                                 Dec. 7

George Munger Award                                      Nov. 3               Dec. 22

Heisman Trophy                                                                           Dec. 6

John Mackey Award                  July 23                                      Nov. 23

Lou Groza Award                      July 28             Nov. 4               Nov. 23

Maxwell Award                          July 19             Nov. 1               Nov. 23

Outland Trophy                         July 27             Nov. 17             Nov. 23

Paul Hornung Award                 July 29                                      Nov. 17

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award        July 26         Oct. 25               Nov. 23

Ray Guy Award                            July 28          Nov. 10             Nov. 23

Rimington Trophy                      July 23                                      Dec. 6

Stallings Award

Walter Camp Award                  July 30            TBA                  TBA

William V. Campbell Trophy                            Sept. 29            Oct. 27

Wuerffel Trophy                        July 29             Nov. 2               Nov. 23

Creator of ‘Mr Irrelevant’ – Paul Salata Passes

Paul Salata, the Newport Beach businessman and philanthropist who founded Mr. Irrelevant Week 45 years ago, died Saturday, October 16th. Salata was 94 years old and passed the day before his 95th birthday this past Sunday. He had been in declining health for several years.

Salata was part of the rich bizarre history and lore of the NFL Draft. He created Irrelevant Week in 1976 to honor the last player selected in the NFL Draft, who would be known as “Mr. Irrelevant.” A week’s worth of activities, including a welcome party, a golf tournament, a trip to Disneyland and The Lowsman Banquet’ with a parade, were among the events.

Mr. Irrelevant would be presented the ‘Lowsman Trophy’, which looked like the famed Heisman Trophy except the football player on the Lowsman Trophy is dropping the football. This last selection in the NFL Draft also created the ‘Salata Rule’ after an incident in 1979 between the LA Rams and Pittsburgh Steeler. The Rams passed on the next to last selection to allow the Steelers to move up one spot and the Rams would get the final selection. The Steelers also passed on the selection which forced the Commissioner Pete Rozelle and NFL office to rule that no team can pass on the next to last selection to claim the final overall draft choice. Steelers retained the last draft choice.

Salata gave to many charitable causes – Irrelevant Week always benefited local charities – and created endowments at USC where he played football and baseball.

Salata was master of ceremony and guest of honor at many events for many years in Orange County. His quick wit was always on display. One example: Tampa Bay Buccaneers placekicker Ryan Succop was a Mr. Irrelevant when he was the last player drafted in 2009 by the Kansas City Chiefs. Succop’s last name is pronounced “suck up.” With that in mind, Salata’s introduction of Succop included, “He comes from a whole family of Succops.” As a Buccaneer in 2021, Succop became the first ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ to win a Super Bowl ring with the Bucs.

Salata was a successful sewer contractor. The late Orange County Register columnist John Hall often called Salata “The Sewer King.”

Before getting into the business world, Salata was an outstanding receiver at USC. He caught a touchdown pass for the Trojans in a 25-0 victory over Tennessee in the 1945 Rose Bowl game (Salata would claim he caught two touchdown passes in the game, but an official, Salata said, made a mistake when the official ruled Salata was out of bounds on what would have been a touchdown reception). At USC, he was an infielder and part of the Trojans’ first College World Series title. His USC playing days were interrupted by an 18-month stint in the Army Air Corps.

Salata played for the Baltimore Colts when the Colts were in the All-American Football Conference and rejoined the team when the Colts were integrated in the NFL. He played for the San Francisco 49ers in 1949 and 1950. During the 1950 season, he had 50 receptions, playing for the 49ers and Colts that season.

He also played in the Canadian Football League in which he was an all-star receiver with the Calgary Stampeders. Salata played college and minor-league baseball.

Salata was an extra or bit-player in 18 films, including as a prisoner of war in “Stalag 17,” as one of the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball players in the original “Angels in the Outfield,” the ‘Ten Commandments’, ‘Singin in the Rain’, and he was the guy who sliced open Frank Sinatra’s nose in “The Joker Is Wild.”

He is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughter Melanie Salata Fitch, son Brian Salata, granddaughters Alix and Marie, and brother George.

Salata Fitch assumed the leadership role in Irrelevant Week in recent years and hopefully continues this amazing tradition.

2019 FWAA All-America Team

76th annual team is presented by Cotton Bowl Classic

DALLAS — The Football Writers Association of America, in partnership with the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, announced its 2019 All-America Team, headlined by 12 players from the Big Ten Conference – nine of them on the first team – and 11 from the Southeastern Conference that includes Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow of LSU.

Fifty-four standout players were selected to two teams by the association’s All-America committee after voting from the entire membership. Since 2013, the FWAA has named a second team. Overall, there are 35 schools represented from eight Football Bowl Subdivision conferences, including 14 players who are competing in the College Football Playoff and three repeat selections.

Frank Coyle is a longtime national scout of both College and NFL players. He is also a long time member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

The top two teams in the College Football Playoff – Ohio State (5) and LSU (4) – lead all programs on the combined first and second teams. The Buckeyes tied for the national-high with three first-team members led by the Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Bednarik Award winner, defensive end Chase Young, along with defensive back Jeff Okudah and running back J.K. Dobbins, who was selected as an all-purpose player. Quarterback Justin Fields and offensive lineman Wyatt Davis are on the second team. LSU’s Burrow, who set multiple SEC passing records and is on pace to break more, is the first-team quarterback along with his main target, Biletnikoff Award-winning wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Burrow also won the Maxwell, Davey O’Brien and Walter Camp Awards, and joins offensive lineman Lloyd Cushenberry III and defensive back Derek Stingley Jr., who are second-team members.

Stingley is one of three freshmen on the team as part of 34 underclassmen. There are 19 seniors and 19 juniors on the roster along with one graduate student. Earning their second All-America honors from the FWAA are running backs Jonathan Taylor of Wisconsin (first team in 2018 as well) and Travis Etienne of Clemson (second team both seasons) and offensive lineman Calvin Throckmorton of Oregon (second team both seasons). The conference breakdown is: Big Ten (12), SEC (11), Big 12 and Pac-12 (9), ACC (8), Conference USA (2), Mountain West (2) and American Athletic (1). There are 11 players from Texas – seven on the first team – and five each from Florida and Louisiana.

It has been a big year for the Big Ten and its nine first-team members. Wisconsin ties Ohio State for the most first-teamers with three, highlighted by Taylor, the school’s career rushing record-holder and two-time Doak Walker Award winner, center Tyler Biadasz, the Rimington Trophy winner, and linebacker Zach Baun, one of the national leaders in tackles for loss. Wisconsin closes the decade having had an All-American in nine of 10 seasons, a string that began with offensive tackle Gabe Carimi winning the Outland Trophy in 2010. Ohio State’s five players are the most it has ever placed on an FWAA All-America team and the Buckeyes placed three on the first team for the first time since 2002. Their first-team trio ties four other seasons behind only the 1944 team’s four members for the most first-teamers in school history. Ohio State has had at least one FWAA All-America player in six of the last seven seasons.

Minnesota’s Winfield Jr. is the Gophers’ first All-American since 2014 and only their second since two-time All-America center Greg Eslinger won the Outland Trophy in 2005. He is Minnesota’s first All-America defensive back since 1999. Iowa offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs and kicker Keith Duncan give the Hawkeyes All-Americans in seven consecutive seasons and marks the second time in three seasons for them to have two first-teamers. Penn State, which takes on Memphis in this year’s Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at Noon ET on Dec. 28 on ESPN, completes the Big Ten field with linebacker Micah Parsons on the second team.

LSU’s four All-Americans mark its highest total ever and, with Burrow and Chase on the first team, this is the 10th time for the Tigers to have at least two first-teamers in a season. LSU has had at least one All-American in three of the last four seasons. Georgia, with J.R. Reed in the secondary and Outland Trophy semifinalist Andrew Thomas on the offensive line, placed two on the first team for only the third time in its history and has now had an All-American in three straight seasons.

Kentucky, with Ray Guy Award winner Max Duffy on the first team, now has back-to-back first-teamers for the first time since 1949-50. Linebacker Josh Allen was the 2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner and Bob Gain was a two-time All-America offensive tackle selection (1949-50) and the 1950 Outland Trophy winner. The Wildcats also have offensive lineman Logan Stenberg on the second team. Alabama punt returner Jaylen Waddle earned the Crimson Tide a first-team selection for a 12th consecutive season. Auburn’s Derrick Brown is the Tigers’ first first-team selection since 2016 and Florida defensive back C.J. Henderson is Florida’s first All-American since 2016.

The Big 12 tied the Pac-12 with nine selections but has the best distribution among all the conferences, as seven of its 10 schools are represented on the combined team. Oklahoma extended its All-America streak to six years and has had at least one first-teamer (wide receiver CeeDee Lamb this season) in four consecutive years. Sophomore center Creed Humphrey is on the second team. Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard gives the Cowboys an eighth first-teamer this decade and 10th in the last 12 seasons. Baylor and TCU have their first All-Americans since 2015; Baylor’s James Lynch is the Bears’ third defensive All-America player since 1991, and this is only the third time (2015, 1955) for TCU to have two All-Americans (Jeff Gladney and Jalen Reagor) in the same season.

Utah defensive linemen Bradlee Anae marks the third time in the last four seasons that the Utes have had a defensive player on the first team and four of the last six, and also has defensive lineman Leki Fotu on the second team. Prior to 2014, Utah had only two All-Americans on defense. The Utes have had an All-American in five consecutive seasons with a Pac-12-high three this season with running back Zack Moss on the second unit. Oregon ends the decade with two All-America picks from its offensive line, Outland Trophy winner Penei Sewell and two-time selection Throckmorton. Evan Weaver is Cal’s first All-American since 2006 and the Bears’ fourth since 2000.

Clemson now has a first-team selection in five straight seasons with offensive lineman John Simpson and Butkus Award winner Isaiah Simmons making this year’s top unit; it’s the ninth time this decade for the Tigers to have an All-American and the fifth time for the Tigers to have two first-team selections. Virginia kick returner Joe Reed is the Cavaliers’ first first-team selection since 2007 but the program’s third straight All-America pick after only having two this century prior to 2016.

Among the other second team members, James Proche reset SMU’s career receiving record books this season and becomes the Mustangs’ first All-American since running back Reggie Dupard in 1985. Boise State defensive lineman Curtis Weaver becomes the Broncos’ fourth All-American and first since 2015. San Diego State earned its fourth All-America nod this century and seventh overall as Luq Barcoo becomes the Aztecs’ first defensive player to be so honored.

Pitt defensive lineman Jaylen Twyman is the Panthers’ first defensive All-American since Aaron Donald won the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2013. Miami’s Greg Rousseau is the Hurricanes’ second All-American since 2005. Wake Forest has back-to-back All-America selections for the first time as kicker Nick Sciba earned this year’s nod, and punt returner Greg Dortsch earned it in 2018. Syracuse has had an All-American in three consecutive seasons thanks to its special teams; it has punter Sterling Hofrichter this year after placing kicker Andre Szmyt on the 2018 first team.

Michael Pittman Jr. is USC’s first All-American since a three-year run from 2014-16 and only the Trojans’ fourth choice this decade. Hamilcar Rashed is Oregon State’s sixth All-American and first since 2013. Brandon Aiyuk gives Arizona State an All-America selection in three of the last four seasons. Prior to that string, no Sun Devil had earned the honor since defensive end Terrell Suggs won the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 2002.

2019 FWAA All-American First Team

OFFENSE
QB Joe Burrow, LSU (6-4, 216, Sr., Athens, Ohio)
RB Chuba Hubbard, Oklahoma State (6-1, 207, So., Sherwood Park, Alberta)
RB Jonathan Taylor, Wisconsin (5-11, 219, Jr., Salem, N.J.)
WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU (6-1, 200, So., Metairie, La.)
WR CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma (6-2, 189, Jr., Richmond, Texas)
TE Harrison Bryant, Florida Atlantic (6-5, 240, Sr., Gray, Ga.)
OL Penei Sewell, Oregon (6-6, 325, So., Malaeimi, American Samoa)
OL John Simpson, Clemson (6-4, 330, Sr., North Charleston, S.C.)
OL Andrew Thomas, Georgia (6-5, 320, Jr., Lithonia, Ga.)
OL Tristan Wirfs, Iowa (6-5, 322, Jr., Mount Vernon, Iowa)
C Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin (6-3, 321, Jr., Amherst, Wis.)

DEFENSE
DL Bradlee Anae, Utah (6-3, 265, Sr., Laie, Hawaii)
DL Derrick Brown, Auburn (6-5, 318, Sr., Sugar Hill, Ga.)
DL James Lynch, Baylor (6-4, 295, Jr., Round Rock, Texas)
DL Chase Young, Ohio State (6-5, 265, Jr., Upper Marlboro, Md.)
LB Zack Baun, Wisconsin (6-3, 235, Sr., Brown Deer, Wis.)
LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson (6-4, 230, Jr., Olathe, Kan.)
LB Evan Weaver, California (6-3, 235, Sr., Spokane, Wash.)
DB Jeff Okudah, Ohio State (6-1, 200, Jr., Grand Prairie, Texas)
DB J.R. Reed, Georgia (6-1, 194, Gr., Frisco, Texas)
DB Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech (5-9, 183, Jr., Thibodaux, La.)
DB Antoine Winfield Jr., Minnesota (5-10, 205, So., The Woodlands, Texas)

Specialists
K Keith Duncan, Iowa (5-10, 180, Jr., Weddington, N.C.)
P Max Duffy, Kentucky (6-1, 194, Jr., Perth, Australia)
KR Joe Reed, Virginia (6-3, 215, Sr., Charlotte Court House, Va.)
PR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama (5-10, 182, So., Houston, Texas)
AP J.K. Dobbins, Ohio State (5-10, 217, Jr., La Grange, Texas)

2019 FWAA All-American Second Team

Offense: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State; RB Travis Etienne, Clemson; RB Zack Moss, Utah; WR Michael Pittman Jr., USC; WR James Proche, SMU; TE Charlie Kolar, Iowa State; OL Lloyd Cushenberry III, LSU; OL Wyatt Davis, Ohio State; OL Logan Stenberg, Kentucky; OL Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon; C Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma. Defense: DL Leki Fotu, Utah; DL Greg Rousseau, Miami; DL Jaylen Twyman, Pitt; DL Curtis Weaver, Boise State; LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech; LB Micah Parsons, Penn State; LB Hamilcar Rashed, Oregon State; DB Luq Barcoo, San Diego State; DB Jeff Gladney, TCU; DB C.J. Henderson, Florida; DB Derek Stingley Jr., LSU. Specialists: K Nick Sciba, Wake Forest; P Sterling Hofrichter, Syracuse; KR Joshua Youngblood, Kansas State; PR Jalen Reagor TCU; AP Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State.

The FWAA’s All-America Committee selected this 76th annual team based on nominations from the entire membership. This is just the seventh season in the modern era (post-1950) that the FWAA has named a second team.

The FWAA All-America Team was first selected in 1944, three years after the organization was formed. The FWAA’s inaugural team included Army’s Heisman Trophy tandem of Doc Blanchard and Glenn Davis and Georgia Tech’s Frank Broyles, who later became Arkansas’ head football coach and athletic director.

For seven decades the FWAA has selected an All-America team with the help of its members and an All-America Committee, which represents all the regions in the country. From that All-America team, the FWAA also selects the Outland Trophy winner (best interior lineman) and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner (best defensive player).

The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,400 men and women who cover college football. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game day operations, major awards and its annual All-America team.

Frank Coyle is a longtime national scout of both College and NFL players. He is also a long time member of the FWAA and a voter for the Heisman Trophy, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Thorpe, Fred Biletnikoff and Eddie Robinson awards annually for 25 years.

FWAA Announces 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List

92 Players Listed for Defensive Player of the Year Award

The Football Writers Association of America released its 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List today, selecting 92 defensive standouts from 65 schools in all 10 Division I FBS conferences plus independents on a roster that includes four returning players from last season’s FWAA All-America team.

Grant Delpit, a junior safety from LSU, tops the list as the lone returning Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist and FWAA first-team All-American from last season. Joining him on the list are three other returning 2018 FWAA second-team All-Americans in Virginia cornerback Bryce Hall, Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes, and Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo.

Alabama leads the team count with four representatives – linebackers Anfernee Jennings and Dylan Moses, end Raekwon Davis and cornerback Trevon Diggs. In addition to Delpit, LSU boasts linebacker Jacob Phillips and cornerback Kristian Fulton on the list to tie Iowa State, Notre Dame and Penn State with three members each. There are 16 schools with two members on the list.

Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. As in previous years, the FWAA will announce a National Defensive Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week’s honored player will be added at that time. The FWAA and the Charlotte Touchdown Club will announce five finalists for the 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy on Nov. 20.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner will be chosen from those five finalists. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the association’s full membership, selects a 26-man All-America Team and eventually the Nagurski Trophy finalists. Committee members, by individual ballot, select the winner they regard as the best defensive player in college football.

This year’s watch list includes at least four players from eight of the 10 FBS conferences. The SEC (18) and Big Ten (15) have the most members and combine to make up more than one-third of the 92-man list. The ACC and Pac-12 (12 each) and Big 12 (11) also have double-digit representation, followed by the American Athletic (6), Independents (5), Conference USA (4), Mountain West (4), Mid-American (3) and Sun Belt (2). The list includes 36 linebackers, 28 backs, 21 ends and seven tackles.

2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List (92)

DB DeMarkus Acy, Missouri                       DE Mustafa Johnson, Colorado
DB Paulson Adebo, Stanford                       DE Patrick Johnson, Tulane
DE Bradlee Anae, Utah                                LB Clay Johnston, Baylor
LB Rayshard Ashby, Virginia Tech            DB Brandon Jones, Texas
LB Joe Bachie, Michigan State                   LB Antonio Jones-Davis, NIU
DE JaQuan Bailey, Iowa State                    DE Khalid Kareem, Notre Dame
LB Markus Bailey, Purdue                           LB Nate Landman, Colorado
DB Essang Bassey, Wake Forest                 LB Sage Lewis, FIU
LB Shaun Bradley, Temple                          DT Ray Lima, Iowa State
DB Antoine Brooks Jr., Maryland             LB Bryan London II, Texas State
LB Jordyn Brooks, Texas Tech                   LB Jordan Mack, Virginia
DT Derrick Brown, Auburn                        DT Justin Madubuke, Texas A&M
DB Myles Bryant, Washington                  DB Kevin McGill, Eastern Michigan
DB Andre Cisco, Syracuse                          DB Josh Metellus, Michigan
DE Nick Coe, Auburn                                  LB Dylan Moses, Alabama
LB Carter Coughlin, Minnesota                LB Kenneth Murray, Oklahoma
DB Cameron Dantzler, Mississippi St      DE Julian Okwara, Notre Dame
DE Raekwon Davis, Alabama                    LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
DB Grant Delpit, LSU                                 LB Jacob Phillips, LSU
DB Trevon Diggs, Alabama                        LB Shaquille Quarterman, Miami
DE Victor Dimukeje, Duke                        DB J.R. Reed, Georgia
LB Troy Dye, Oregon                                  DB Elijah Riley, Army
LB Cooper Edmiston, Tulsa                      DB Amik Robertson, Louisiana Tech
DE A.J. Epenesa, Iowa                               LB Merlin Robertson, Arizona State
LB Jordan Fehr, Appalachian State        DE Alton Robinson, Syracuse
LB Paddy Fisher, Northwestern               LB Colin Schooler, Arizona
DB Jordan Fuller, Ohio State                   DT Jordon Scott, Oregon
DB Kristian Fulton, LSU                           LB Isaiah Simmons, Clemson
LB Lawrence Garner, Old Dominion       LB Marcel Spears, Iowa State
LB Cale Garrett, Missouri                         DB Caden Sterns, Texas
DE Jonathan Garvin, Miami                    LB Darrell Taylor, Tennessee
DE Joe Gaziano, Northwestern               LB Kyahva Tezino, San Diego State
DB Alohi Gilman, Notre Dame               DE Xavier Thomas, Clemson
DB Jeff Gladney, TCU                              LB Erroll Thompson, Mississippi State
DB Richie Grant, UCF                              DT Khyiris Tonga, BYU
DB A.J. Green, Oklahoma State             DE Jay Tufele, USC
DE Yetur Gross-Matos, Penn State       LB Mykal Walker, Fresno State
DB Javon Hagan, Ohio                            DE Curtis Weaver, Boise State
DB Bryce Hall, Virginia                           LB Evan Weaver, California
LB Ky’el Hemby, Southern Miss           DB James Wiggins, Cincinnati
DB CJ Henderson, Florida                     DE Kenny Willekes, Michigan State
DB Lavert Hill, Michigan                        DT Marvin Wilson, Florida State
DE Wyatt Hubert, Kansas State            DT Robert Windsor, Penn State
LB Bryce Huff, Memphis                       LB David Woodward, Utah State
LB Anfernee Jennings, Alabama         DE Chase Young, Ohio State
DB Jaylon Johnson, Utah                     DE Jabari Zuniga, Florida

By conference: SEC 18, Big Ten 15, ACC 12, Pac-12 12, Big 12 11, American Athletic 6, Independents 5, Conference USA 4, Mountain West 4, Mid-American 3, Sun Belt 2.

By position: Linebackers 36, Backs 28, Ends 21, Tackles 7.

Players may be added or removed from the list before or during the season

The 25th Annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet will be held on Dec. 9 at the Charlotte Convention Center. In addition to the 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner’s announcement, the banquet will also celebrate former UCLA All-American Jerry Robinson, the recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Legends Award. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is the keynote speaker.

The FWAA has chosen a National Defensive Player of the Year since 1993. In 1995, the FWAA named the award in honor of the legendary two-way player from the University of Minnesota. Nagurski dominated college football, then became a star for professional football’s Chicago Bears in the 1930s. Bronislaw “Bronko” Nagurski is a charter member of both the College Football and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy is a member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA), which encompasses the most prestigious awards in college football. Founded in 1997, the NCFAA and its 25 awards now boast over 800 recipients, dating to 1935. Visit ncfaa.org to learn more about the NCFAA.

About the Football Writers Association of America
Founded in 1941, the non-profit Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) consists of more than 1,300 members, including journalists, broadcasters, publicists and key executives in all areas of college football. Led by current President Matt Fortuna of The Athletic, longtime Executive Director Steve Richardson, and a board of veteran journalists, the association continues to grow and work to help college football prosper at all levels. Visit footballwriters.com for more information about the FWAA and its award programs.

Frank Coyle is a long-time scout with nationwide ties with NFL and college coaches, scouts and player agents. He has published draftinsiders.com for 28 years including a 250 page Yearbook with 300 in-depth scouting reports. Long-time scouting consultant for the Senior Bowl, the nation’s premier postseason All-star game and member of the FWAA and voter in College player awards – Heisman, Outland, Nagurski, Lombardi, Thorpe, Biletnikoff etc for the past 25+ years.