Nagurski, Outland Trophy watch lists
July, 12, 2012
7/12/12
11:00
AM ET
By
Andrea Adelson | ESPN.com
Two more watch lists have been unveiled, featuring four Big East players each.
First up: the Nagurski Trophy, given annually to the nation's best defensive player. This year, a total of 84 players have made the list. Here are your Big East reps:
Nagurski Trophy
Greene was the obvious choice for this list, as he won Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Big East last season. Greene also has been receiving some national attention on several preseason All-America lists as well. Smith and Holley are the two best safeties in the Big East right now, while Williams ranked No. 5 in the nation with 12.5 total sacks. Excellent Big East representation on this list.
Now here are the Big East players on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, given to the best tackle, guard or center in the nation. In all, 71 players made this list.
Not much of a surprise here, either. Benavides is the best center in the Big East. Donald had 11 sacks last year and moves inside now to defensive tackle. Popek and Pugh are the two best offensive tackles in the Big East right now.
First up: the Nagurski Trophy, given annually to the nation's best defensive player. This year, a total of 84 players have made the list. Here are your Big East reps:
Nagurski Trophy
- Khaseem Greene, Rutgers
- Jarred Holley, Pitt
- Hakeem Smith, Louisville
- Trevardo Williams, UConn
Greene was the obvious choice for this list, as he won Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors in the Big East last season. Greene also has been receiving some national attention on several preseason All-America lists as well. Smith and Holley are the two best safeties in the Big East right now, while Williams ranked No. 5 in the nation with 12.5 total sacks. Excellent Big East representation on this list.
Now here are the Big East players on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, given to the best tackle, guard or center in the nation. In all, 71 players made this list.
- Mario Benavides, Louisville
- Aaron Donald, Pitt
- Mark Popek, USF
- Justin Pugh, Syracuse
Not much of a surprise here, either. Benavides is the best center in the Big East. Donald had 11 sacks last year and moves inside now to defensive tackle. Popek and Pugh are the two best offensive tackles in the Big East right now.
Andrea Adelson | email
College Football- ESPN.com Big East/Nation blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2010
- Wrote for The Orlando Sentinel
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
Matt Fortuna
Fortuna joined ESPN.com in 2011 after working for MLB.com and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, where he covered college sports. He grew up in New York and is a Penn State graduate.
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