FWAA Announces 2019 Outland Trophy Watch List

83 Players Listed for Nation’s Top Interior Lineman

The Football Writers Association of America has announced the preseason watch list for the 2019 Outland Trophy presented by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. This season’s list presents a rare wide-open field following the departure of all eight Outland Trophy semifinalists from a year ago and the return of only one FWAA All-American, offensive tackle Calvin Throckmorton of Oregon. The Ducks, along with Michigan, top the list with four selections among the 83 standout interior linemen representing all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents.

Throckmorton, a senior from Bellevue, Wash., was a second-team FWAA All-American and is the lone member of the 2018 FWAA All-America Team on either interior line to return this season. He is joined by three teammates, center Jake Hanson, guard Shane Lemieux and defensive tackle Jordon Scott. Michigan has four members of its offensive front on the list – center Cesar Ruiz, guards Michael Onwenu and Ben Bredeson, and tackle Jon Runyan. Georgia has three players and 15 other schools have two representatives on the list of standouts.

University of Pittsburgh All-American Mark May, the 1980 Outland Trophy winner, will serve as the Outland Trophy #FightFlu ambassador for the upcoming season. May will make media appearances on behalf of the #FightFlu public awareness campaign to remind people to get their annual flu shots.

The recipient of the 74th Outland Trophy will be announced during ESPN’s The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 12, live from the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the NFID Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee on Jan. 15, 2020. Up to eight semifinalists will be named on Nov. 20 in Omaha and three finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 25.

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 29 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 27 years.

Candidates may be added or removed during the season. The distribution of watch list candidates is spread well among the conferences, with the Big Ten and SEC leading the way with 13 each. The Big 12 and Pac-12 are just behind with 12 apiece, followed by the ACC with 10 as well as the American Athletic (6), Independents and Mountain West (4 each), and Conference USA, Mid-American and Sun Belt (3 each). The list includes 32 offensive tackles, 19 defensive tackles, 18 guards and 14 centers.

2019 Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List (83)

OT Trey Adams, Washington                             OG Shane Lemieux, Oregon
OT Hakeem Adeniji, Kansas                              DT Ray Lima, Iowa State
OL Tremayne Anchrum, Clemson                    OT Walker Little, Stanford
OG Jack Anderson, Texas Tech                        OT Abraham Lucas, Washington State
OT Mekhi Becton, Louisville                             DL James Lynch, Baylor
C Tyler Biadasz, Wisconsin                                DT Justin Madubuike, Texas A&M
DT Ross Blacklock, TCU                                     DT Garrett Marino, UAB
DT Quinton Bohanna, Kentucky                       OT Colton McKivitz, West Virginia
OG Parker Braun, Texas                                     OG John Molchon, Boise State
OG Ben Bredeson, Michigan                             C Jimmy Morrissey, Pitt
DT Derrick Brown, Auburn                               OT Thayer Munford, Ohio State
OL Jake Brown, UCF                                          DT Larrell Murchison, N.C. State
C Levi Brown, Marshall                                      DT Lorenzo Neal, Purdue
C Cohl Cabral, Arizona State                             OT Jake Nelson, Nevada
OT Brady Christensen, BYU                              OT Lucas Niang, TCU
OT Ezra Cleveland, Boise State                         OT Marcus Norman, USF
DT Doug Costin, Miami                                      OG Michael Onwenu, Michigan
OT Coy Cronk, Indiana                                       OT Miles Pate, WKU
OG Navaughn Donaldson, Miami                     DT John Penisini, Utah
OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame                   OT Benjamin Petrula, Boston College
OG Jovahn Fair, Temple                                     C Cesar Ruiz, Michigan
DT Leki Fotu, Utah                                              OT Jon Runyan, Michigan
DT Neville Gallimore, Oklahoma                      DT Jordon Scott, Oregon
C Jake Hanson, Oregon                                       C Zach Shackelford, Texas
C Bryce Harris, Toledo                                         OL Josh Sills, West Virginia
C Nick Harris, Washington                                 OG John Simpson, Clemson
OT Charlie Heck, North Carolina                      OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
OT Justin Herron, Wake Forest                         OG Logan Stenberg, Kentucky
C Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma                          OT Prince Tega Wanogho, Auburn
OT Robert Hunt, Louisiana                                OT Andrew Thomas, Georgia
OL Keith Ismael, San Diego State                     OT Calvin Throckmorton, Oregon
OT Alaric Jackson, Iowa                                     DT Khyiris Tonga, BYU
C Jordan Johnson, UCF                                     OG Tre’Vour Wallace-Sims, Missouri
OT Victor Johnson, Appalachian State           C Darryl Williams, Mississippi State
OT Josh Jones, Houston                                    DT Raequan Williams, Michigan State
OG Luke Juriga, Western Michigan                OT Jedrick Wills Jr., Alabama
OG Kirk  Kelley, Troy                                         OL Isaiah Wilson, Georgia
OL Solomon Kindley, Georgia                          DT Marvin Wilson, Florida State
DT Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina                   DT Robert Windsor, Penn State
OG Tommy Kraemer, Notre Dame                 OT Tristan Wirfs, Iowa
OG Gus Lavaka, Oregon State                         C Dustin Woodard, Memphis
OG Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

By conference: Big Ten 13, SEC 13, Big 12 12, Pac-12 12, ACC 10, American Athletic 6, Independents 4, Mountain West 4, Conference USA 3, Mid-American 3, Sun Belt 3.

By position: Offensive Tackles 32, Defensive Tackles 19, Offensive Guards 18, Centers 14.

Tackles, guards and centers are eligible for consideration Candidates may be added or removed during the season

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 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.

The Outland Trophy, now in its 74th year, 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.

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.

NFL 2019 Preseason Week-by-Week Schedule

Hall of Fame Game – Aug. 1
Denver Broncos vs. Atlanta Falcons (NBC – 8 pm)

Week 1 – Aug. 8-12

New York Jets at New York Giants
Tennessee Titans at Philadelphia Eagles
Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears
New England Patriots at Detroit Lions
Houston Texans at Green Bay Packers
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints
Los Angeles Chargers at Arizona Cardinals
Dallas Cowboys at San Francisco 49ers
Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks
Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills
Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins
Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens
Washington Redskins at Cleveland Browns
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Pittsburgh Steelers
Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Rams at Oakland Raiders

Week 2 – Aug. 15-19

Chicago at New York Giants
Cincinnati Bengals at Washington Redskins
Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings (FOX 8/18)
New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons
Buffalo Bills at Carolina Panthers
Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Oakland Raiders at Arizona Cardinals (ESPN 8/15)
Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams
Green Bay Packers at Baltimore Ravens
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
Detroit Lions at Houston Texans
Cleveland Browns at Indianapolis Colts
Philadelphia Eagles at Jacksonville Jaguars
New England at Tennessee Titans
San Francisco 49ers at Denver Broncos (ESPN 8/19)
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Chargers (CBS 8/18)

Week 3 – Aug. 22-25

Houston Texans at Dallas Cowboys
Baltimore Ravens at Philadelphia Eagles
Buffalo Bills at Detroit Lions (CBS 8/23)
Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings
Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons
Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams
Jacksonville Jaguars at Miami Dolphins (FOX 8/22)
Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints at New York Jets
New York Giants at Cincinnati Bengals
Chicago Bears at Indianapolis Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans (NBC 8/25)
San Francisco 49ers at Kansas City Chiefs
Green Bay Packers vs. Oakland Raiders
Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Chargers

Week 4 – Aug. 29-30

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys
Baltimore Ravens at Washington Redskins
Tennessee Titans at Chicago Bears
Kansas City Chiefs at Green Bay Packers
Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers
Miami Dolphins at New Orleans Saints
Los Angeles Chargers at San Francisco 49ers
Oakland Raiders at Seattle Seahawks
Minnesota Vikings at Buffalo Bills
New York Giants at New England Patriots
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Jets
Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals
Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns
Los Angeles Rams at Houston Texans
Atlanta Falcons at Jacksonville Jaguars
Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos

NFL Calendar 2020
NFL Important Dates

Updated 1/2/2020

January 2020
Jan. 4-5 – Wild Card Playoffs.
Jan. 5 – Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that have byes in Wild Card weekend may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of the Wild Card games.
Jan. 11-12       NFL Divisional Playoffs.
Jan. 12 – Assistant coaches under contract to playoff clubs that won their Wild Card games may be interviewed for head coaching positions through the conclusion of Divisional Playoff games.

Jan. 3-8 – College Gridiron Showcase Game, Fort Worth, Tx.
Jan. 12 – Tropical All-Star Game, Daytona Beach, Fl.

Jan. 18 – East-West Shrine Game, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, Florida.

Jan. 18 – NFLPA All-Star Game, Los Angeles. Ca.

Jan. 19 AFC and NFC Championship Games

Jan. 20 Deadline for college players who are underclassmen to apply for Special Eligibility. A list of underclassmen who have been approved for entry into the 2020 College Draft will be sent to clubs on January 24.

Jan. 25 – Senior Bowl, Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, Alabama.

Jan. 26 – Hula Bowl All-Star Game, Honolulu, Hawaii

Jan. 26 – NFL Pro Bowl.
An assistant coach, whose team is participating in the Super Bowl, who has previously interviewed for another club’s head coaching job may have a second interview with such club no later than the Sunday preceding the Super Bowl.

February
Feb. 2   Super Bowl LIV, Hard Rock Stadium, South Florida.
Feb. 24-March 2 – NFL Scouting Combine, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Feb. 25 First day for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March
March 10 – Prior to 4:00 p.m., New York time, deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 16-18  – During the period beginning at 12:00 noon, New York time, on March 16 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18, clubs are permitted to contact, and enter into contract negotiations with, the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2019 Player Contracts at 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations.
No prospective Unrestricted Free Agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
March 18 – The 2020 League Year and Free Agency period begin at 4:00 p.m., New York time.
The first day of the 2020 League Year will end at 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18. Clubs will receive a personnel notice that will include all transactions submitted to the League office during the period between 4:00 p.m., New York time, and 11:59:59 p.m., New York time, on March 18.
Trading period for 2020 begins at 4:00 p.m., New York time, after expiration of all 2019 contracts.

April

March 29-April 1          Annual League Meeting, Palm Beach, Florida.
April 6  – Clubs that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2019 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
April 17  – Deadline for restricted free agents to sign offer sheets
April 20 – Clubs with returning head coaches may begin offseason workout programs.
April 22  – Deadline for prior club to exercise right of first refusal to restricted free agents.

April 23-25   –     NFL Draft 2020, Las Vegas, Nevada.

NFL Supplemental Draft 2019 – July 10, 2019

Arizona selected former Washington St safety Jalen Thompson in today’s NFL Supplemental Draft. The Cardinals used a 5th round pick to take Thompson who was a late entrant in the supplemental draft after the NCAA stripped him of his eligibility for testing positive for a banned substance.

No other player was selected in today’s supplemental draft. The Jaguars quickly signed West Virginia receiver Marcus Simms. Other players, Syracuse OLB Shy Cullen, Northland WR/TE Devonaire Clarington and St. Francis of Illinois CB Bryant Perry are all free agents and able to sign with any team.

Prospects for NFL Supplemental Draft 2019

These players are eligible for the NFL Supplemental Draft after not declaring for entry in the NFL Draft 2019.

Draft Insiders’ Scouting Reports

 Safety Jalen Thompson #34     5-10      190       Washington St – Sp. 4.50         Rating 70
Athletic safety had an unheralded career in the Pac 12, starting since midway in his sophomore season. Earned some Pac 12 honorable mention after his junior season. Adequate size and good speed with reliable tackling ability and developing coverage skills to challenge for an NFL roster spot. In run support, he reads the play nicely and uses his arms well to keep blockers off to finish. As a tackler, he has progressed on his initial reads to react and get into proper positioning to finish. Lacks powerful frame to deliver big hits, though is becoming a solid wrap-up tackler and consistent at the line with improving angles to the ball. Athletic talent to be a pro defender, but still has key areas to improve like pass coverage to compete for a roster spot. Good 4.48 speed and the range to make plays at the sidelines. In pass coverage, he can retain well in transition in man situations with flexible hips when he makes reads the route properly. At times, he gives too much separation and lacks the elite recovery speed to make up for mistakes. In man coverage, he can run with fast receivers, but needs refinement in positioning, hand usage and leverage. Bites on multiple moves and still raw in route and overall play recognition. Needs better technique and footwork to plant and drive on the ball. Needs reps in reading the QB and routes better to be ready to compete for time in dime package. At his pro day, he ran in the 4.50 range with a 33.5” VL, 10’4” BJ and 4.16 shuttle. Good positional drills for a solid overall effort. Makeup to compete for a role as special teams’ defender where his speed and tackling should earn time. Good tools to develop especially in coverage and play the high safety role. Must develop better ball skills to start, though has the burst to matchup with fast receivers. Good 3rd day addition with skills to produce on special teams. Fine versatile prospect with talent to continue to improve in deficient areas. Make it grade, though a marginal top 150 prospect in main draft.

Wideout Marcus Simms #8      6-0        190       West Virginia      – Sp. 4.45        Rating 65
Athletic senior showed fine playmaking ability as a receiver in a receiving corps that included Gary Jennings and David Sills. Simms has a lean frame with good movement skills to get into his routes easily and run with the ball after the reception. Good combination of running skills and speed with a high average per catch. Possesses deceptive speed and gets on top of corners quickly. He is adept at not allowing corners playing press to get a jam on him. He does a fine job of gathering and exploding out of his breaks without a loss of speed, to create consistent separation. Tough to compete well for 50-50 balls. He shows the ability to adjust in midair to off line passes with success. He shows good alertness and football intelligence and will work back toward the quarterback when the play breaks down. While he is already above average in speed, when he is tracking the ball in flight, he shows an extra gear to run under it. Tough matchup for most college corners with his triangle numbers and physicality. At his pro day, he checked in under 6’ and 188 lbs. and ran a 4.45 time with 12 reps. Added a 36” VL, a 10’3” BJ, a 6.91three cone and 4.19 shuttle. Good overall speed/size height/weight. Solid role player with nice level of development to start as both a slot and outside receiver. Capable of playing in three and four wideout sets in time. Boom or bust prospect with the talent to surprise and carve a niche in a pro passing game. Some prior off the field issues. Risky 3rd day addition with interesting upside and definite talent to make it and become a solid contributor with development.