Clemson Football: Two Tigers named to Outland Trophy preseason watchlist

Two Clemson Football defensive linemen were named to the 2023 Outland Trophy preseason watchlist.

Tyler Davis & Ruke Orhorhoro are among the 91 interior line players who have been placed on the watchlist. Players from all FBS conferences are represented.

The trophy is awarded annually to the best interior lineman on either side of the ball in college football. The Football Writers Association of America will vote on the winner.

The trophy was first bestowed in 1946. No player from Clemson has ever won the Outland. Former winners include Jordan Davis from Georgia, Aaron Donald from Pittsburgh, Ndamukong Suh from Nebraska, Orlando Pace from Ohio State, and Jonathan Ogden from UCLA.

This is the second preseason watchlist for Davis, who was also named to the Bronko Nagurski watchlist. Other Tigers on watchlists include Will Shipley (Maxwell Award), Barrett Carter (Nagurski), Jeremiah Trotter (Nagurski), and Dabo Swinney (Dodd Trophy).

Olusegun Oluwatimi from Michigan won the award in 2022. Nebraska has won the most Outland Trophies with nine total. Alabama has won six and Oklahoma has won five.

Michigan had four players named to the watchlist. Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Utah, and Ohio State each have three players.

Clemson Football was the only ACC program to have multiple players on the Outland Trophy watchlist

Other ACC players included are Christian Mahogany from Boston College, Graham Barton from Duke, Jeremiah Byers from Florida State, Bryan Hudson from Louisville, Javion Cohen from Miami, and Matt Goncalves from Pitt.

Bucky Williams and Isaiah Helms from Appalachian State, Kennedy Roberts from Coastal Carolina, and Tonka Hemingway from South Carolina are the other players from the Carolinas to be included.

Other notable names include Joe Alt from Notre Dame, Mekhi Wingo from LSU, and Kris Jenkins from Michigan.

There are 24 defensive tackles, 24 offensive guards, and 12 centers on the watchlist.

The winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN in December. The FWAA will also announce an Outland National Player of the Week this season.