DALLAS (FWAA) – The Football Writers Association of America has announced the preseason watch list for the 2023 Outland Trophy, recognizing 91 returning standout interior linemen representing all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents. The 2023 season will close with the award's 78th anniversary and the watch list offers a talented field of players alongside two returning FWAA All-Americans.
Ball State center Ethan Crowe, Buffalo defensive tackle Daymond Williams, Central Michigan offensive guard Deiyantei Powell-Woods, NIU offensive tackle Nolan Potter and Toledo offensive tackle Nick Rosi represent the conference on this season's watch list.
Williams, a second-team All-MAC selection in 2021, is coming off another strong 2022 campaign. He had 33 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, a team-high 4.5 sacks and an interception last season. He had at least one tackle for loss in each of the first five games of the season.
Powell-Woods is a consensus preseason All-MAC selection upon entering into his senior season. Over his career, he has seen action in 29 career games and started 28 as an offensive lineman. In all, he has started 25 consecutive games. As a junior offensive lineman, Powell-Woods started all 12 games at left guard and earned Third Team All-MAC honors. He also served as team captain in five contests.
Potter has started 30 of NIU's last 32 games at tackle. He was a first team All-MAC selection in 2022 by both the head coaches and Phil Steele. The NIU offensive line has ranked in the top-10 nationally in each of the last two seasons in fewest sacks allowed, leading the MAC in both years. In 2021 the Huskies were second in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with 10 sacks allowed in 14 games. Last season NIU was second in the MAC in rushing offense averaging 190.4 yards per game. The Outland Trophy is presented by the Football Writers Association of America to the nation's most outstanding interior lineman.
Rosi is a two-time All-MAC honoree. He earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2022 and third-team all-league recognition in 2019. In 2022, he was a leader on an offensive line that powered Toledo to a MAC Championship and a victory in the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl. The Rockets ranked second in the MAC in scoring (31.3), third in rushing offense (177.6), and third in passing efficiency (133.0) last season.
The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.
Players may be added or removed from the watch list during the course of the season. For the first time, the FWAA will announce an Outland Trophy National Player of the Week each Tuesday this season. If not already on the watch list, each week’s honored player will be added at that time.
