Ole Miss' Micah Pettus named to Outland Trophy preseason watch list
For a second time in as many days an Ole Miss player is named to a preseason watch list for a national award.
On Tuesday Ole Miss offensive lineman Micah Pettus was named to the Outland Trophy’s watch list. The list was announced by the Football Writers Association of America. The trophy is handed out annually to the top lineman in college football.
Pettus is among 91 players named to the list and one of 17 players from the Southeastern Conference on the list for the Outland Trophy, which celebrates its 78th anniversary in 2023. The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award, given annually to the best lineman in college football since 1946.
This is yet another preseason accolade for the Ole Miss sophomore. Pettus was also named a fourth-team Preseason All-American by Phil Steele as well as a Preseason All-SEC selection by both Phil Steele (second team) and Athlon (fourth team).
Ole Miss sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins was named to the Maxwell Award preseason watch list on Monday. The Maxwell Award is given to the most outstanding player in college football for that 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.
The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Nebraska, on Jan. 10, 2024.
