The Forgotten adds serious beef to The Outland and Nagurski watch lists!
Yesterday, steely-nerved accuracy and precision was put on watch. Today, it’s all beef and braun. This morning, watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (Presented to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player) and Outland Trophy (Presented to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman) were released to an adoring public. So beefy!
As usual, we’re concerned not with the P5 superstars, but only with the Forgotten. Sorry not sorry.
Bronko Nagurski Trophy
The Football Writers Association of America (still waiting on my invite) has passed out the Nag since 1993. Last year’s winner: Johnathan Adams from (yawn) Alabama. The last Forgotten to claim the prize: Tyler Matakavich from Temple in 2015. We can do this!
LB Alex Aukerman, Army West Point
LB Genard Avery, Memphis
LB Eric Boggs, Appalachian State
DB Blace Brown, Troy
LB Steve Casali, Massachusetts
DB Andre Chachere, San Jose State
DB Sean Chandler, Temple
DE Aikeem Coleman, Idaho
LB Emmanuel Ellerbee, Rice
DT Folorunso Fatukasi, UConn
DE Jaylon Ferguson, Louisiana Tech
LB Ulysees Gilbert III, Akron
LB Shaquem Griffin, UCF
DB Heath Harding, Miami (Ohio)
DE Justin Lawler, SMU
DB Shawun Lurry, NIU
DT David Moa, Boise State
DB Deatrick Nichols, USF
DT Ed Oliver, Houston
DB Jeremy Reaves, South Alabama
DE Malik Reed, Nevada
DE Ja’Von Rolland-Jones, Arkansas State
LB Auggie Sanchez, USF
DT Deadrin Senat, USF
LB Jahlani Tavai, Hawaii
LB Micah Thomas, Navy
DB Andrew Wingard, Wyoming
DB Jaden Wright, New Mexico State
If this seems like a lot of guys, it’s because it’s a lot of guys. It’s a meaty list! Twenty-eight out of 103 Nagurski nominees hail from the Group of Bad Ass (and Independent Forgottens).
The Outland Trophy
Since 1946 the Football Writers Association of America (still no invite) has recognized the nation’s best interior lineman. Last year, the FWAA handed the hardware to Cam Robinson of (yawn) Alabama. The last Forgotten to earn the FWAA’s respect was Chad Hennings from the Air Force in 1987. Hey that’s 30 years ago, man!
C Jake Bennett, Colorado State
C Evan Brown, SMU
OT Austin Corbett, Nevada
G O’Shea Dugas, Louisiana Tech
DT Folorunso Fatukasi, UConn
G Colby Gossett, Appalachian State
G Will Hernandez, UTEP
C John Keenoy, Western Michigan
G Gabe Kuhn, Memphis
G Jimmy Leatiota, Eastern Michigan
OT Archie Lewis, Boise State
G Evan Martin, Navy
C Chandler Miller, Tulsa
DT David Moa, Boise State
OT Elijah Nkansah, Toledo
OT Chukwuma Okorafor, Western Michigan
DT Ed Oliver, Houston
DT Jamiyus Pittman, UCF
OT Evan Plagg, Tulsa
C Jake Pruehs, Ohio
OT Max Scharping, NIU
DT Deadrin Senat, USF
OT Brett Toth, Army West Point
Is it just you, or does it seem like Houston’s Ed Oliver is on every one of these damn lists? If he wins the Ray Guy this year, I wouldn’t be surprised. I’d just nod and continue drinking Scotch. Of the 81 players selected for the Outland, a solid 23 are G5 or an independent equivalent. Not too shabby.
Up Next, July 14: The Jim Thorpe Award (Presented to the nation’s best defensive back)
Today it was beef. Tomorrow, it’s speed.