Three USC Trojans named to 2024 Outland Trophy preseason watch list
The USC Trojans will face questions as to whether the offensive and defensive lines are deep and strong enough to stand up to a season of Big Ten play along with two difficult non-conference games. But Tuesday brought another reminder that the Trojans are talented at the top of both position groups. Three Trojans landed on the 2024 Outland Trophy preseason watch list, announced by the Football Writers Association of America.
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best college football interior lineman and has been given annually since 1946.
USC offensive lineman Jonah Monheim and Emmanuel Pregnon, and defensive lineman Bear Alexander are all named to the watch list. USC is tied with Ohio State for the most players among Big Ten teams. Only Georgia has more, placing four players on the list.
The Trojans will go up against plenty of talented linemen this season.
LSU’s offensive line duo of Will Campbell and Emery Jones are on the watch list and expected to be one of the best offensive line tandems in the country this season. The same can be said on the other side of the line of scrimmage for the Michigan defensive tackle duo of Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant. Notre Dame also has a pair of defensive tackles listed in Howard Cross III and Rylie Mills. Nebraska offensive tackle Bryce Benhart, Minnesota offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery and Penn State offensive guard Sal Wormley are the other USC opponents listed.
While USC has a long history of producing great offensive and defensive linemen, offensive tackle Ron Yary is still the Trojans’ only winner, earning it for his 1967 season. Nebraska players have won the award nine times. Texas defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat won the award last year, becoming the fourth winner for the Longhorns.
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