Jul 292 min read

Possible Watch List Nominees for the Outland Trophy

The Maxwell Football Club will release its watch list for the Outland Trophy. The award is given out at the end of each season. But this allows fans to pay attention to who might be shortlisted for the coveted honor.

The Outland Trophy goes to the best interior offensive or defensive lineman. The Football Writers Association of America will select the winner. In 2021, Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis won the award. Michigan center Olusegan Oluwatimi won it in 2022. Last year, the Outland Trophy went to Texas defensive tackle T'Vondre Sweat.

With the watch list coming out this week, here are our predictions for who will be considered for the Outland Trophy.

Outland Trophy Nominee: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

Mason Graham, at 6-foot-3 and 318 pounds, is one of the country's best defensive linemen. As a freshman, his contributions last season helped the Maize and Blue win another national championship. While his numbers aren't necessarily flashy, Graham was there to stop the run and plug up the gaps.

Entering his sophomore season, Graham has learned from several veterans who are either now in the NFL or are seniors at Michigan.

According to Damian Parsons, an NFL Draft Scout, "Mason Graham is a high-skilled, 3-down, disruptive defensive tackle prospect who will create consistent backfield penetration and pressure to wreck the opposing offense's game plans".

Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama

It didn't sit right to not have an offensive lineman included here. Parker Brailsford is a center who transferred from Washington, where he started all 15 games. Brailsford now joins coach Kalen DeBoer in making a move to Alabama.

He was the top interior lineman in the Transfer Portal. By no means, though, is Brailsford the best lineman in the United States.

For the Outland Trophy, though, he deserves to be in the conversation. Brailsford will receive notice if he has a great season with Alabama in the Southeastern Conference.

Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

Deone Walker is a monster defensive tackle at 6-foot-6 and 344 pounds. Walker, a junior from Detroit, has the size and power to crush opposing linemen. Playing for Kentucky, though, might keep him from winning.

Walker was a dominant force for the Wildcats last season despite a 7-6 record. In a show of dominance, Walker, below, fought through three Clemson players before bringing down quarterback Cade Klubnik.

Many analysts are placing him high on their NFL Draft boards. Don't be surprised if Walker also appears on the Bronco Nagurski Award watch list. The Nagurski Award goes to the nation's best collegiate defensive player.

All 3 of these players should be on the Outland Trophy watch list. It would be surprising if they are not in contention when this season ends. That's especially true for Walker should he have another fantastic season.

One thing is for certain. College football is nearly back and ready to roll.