The University of Alabama continues to have student-athletes in football named to preseason award watch lists.
On Tuesday, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced its candidates for the Outland Trophy and Bronko Nagurski Trophy. Emil Ekiyor (offensive lineman) and Justin Eboigbe (defensive lineman) were named to the Outland Trophy watch list. The honor goes to the most outstanding interior lineman in college football. Since 1946, six Crimson Tide players have won the Outland Trophy. Alex Leatherwood was the latest recipient of the award in 2020 as an offensive tackle.
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Alabama had four athletes named to the Nagurski Award watch list.
Will Anderson (linebacker), Jordan Battle (safety), Henry To’oto’o (linebacker), and Eli Ricks (cornerback) are preseason candidates. Anderson won the award in 2021 after producing a monster season of 101 tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, and nine quarterback hurries. The Nagurski Trophy goes to the best defensive player in college football. Since 1993, Anderson and former Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen are the lone two Alabama players to win the honor.
Battle is a preseason candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award while To’oto’o is a candidate for the Butkus Award.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
