SEC lands 16 of 81 linemen on Outland Trophy watch list

Western Michigan senior offensive lineman James Kristof has been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List released by the Football Writers Association of America on Friday. Brothers is now up for the Bronco Nagurski Award, which honors the top defensive player in the college football.

Murray and Boddy-Calhoun were among 88 players named to the watch list.

The Outland Trophy victor is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the FWAA All-America Team.

Lucas has been a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection by Phil Steele and a second-team All-Big Ten choice by Lindy’s. The formal presentation of the award will be made at the annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Banquet on December 7 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Boehm earned a spot on the Outland Trophy Watch List, which honors the nation’s top interior lineman (offense and defense). The victor is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the FWAA All-America Team. That list is sliced to three finalists by the FWAA All-America Committee and the victor will be recognized at the Outland Trophy banquet to be held on January 14, 2016 in Omaha, Neb. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the victor, the best defensive player in college football. The award is given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman. He also received MSU’s Up Front Award as the team’s outstanding defensive lineman.

This year’s list will be trimmed to six or seven semifinalists on November 19. He also had 2.5 sacks and an interception. He sat out the 2014 season following back surgery in the offseason. A fourth-team All-America selection by Athlon Sports and an All-Big Ten first-team pick by both the coaches and media, Zettel logged career-best totals with 17 tackles-for-loss and 8.0 sacks. All of those numbers came while learning a new position, having moved from defensive end to tackle during last offseason. He also earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the second straight year.

Calhoun ranks among MSU’s all-time leaders in tackles for loss yardage (sixth with 186), sack yardage (seventh with 137), sacks (tied for eighth with 16.5), fumble recoveries (tied for 10th with five) and tackles for loss (14th with 29). Teller’s insertion into the starting lineup midway through last season stabilized Tech’s offensive line and led the way to the Hokies’ winning three of their final four games. In 40 career games, including 27 consecutive starts, he has 82 tackles with 29 resulting in losses (35 percent). He recorded 10 knockdown blocks against BC, 11 against Duke and nine against Virginia.