Kickoff is less than a month away. The preseason awards are starting and it continues to Just Mean More for the SEC. The Southeastern had 19 players earn Outland Trophy nominations, the most from any conference. The Football Writers Association of America announced the 2024 preseason watch list, highlighting 75 standout interior linemen from all 10 Division I FBS conferences and independents. The sheer number of SEC Outland Trophy nominations demonstrates the SEC’s dominance and depth in producing top-tier talent. This is more than just SEC Network propaganda; we have the numbers to back it up.
The SEC leads with 19 nominees from 10 different programs, while Ohio State and USC, err the Big Ten’s 13 nominations across eight schools. The ACC and Big 12 each have nine nominees. The Mountain West follows with seven, the American with five, and Conference USA with four. The Mid-American and Sun Belt have three, and the Pac-12 and Independents round out the list with two nominees each.
2024 SEC Outland Trophy Watchlist
Dawgs on Top
| OG Dylan Fairchild, Georgia |
| OG Tate Ratledge, Georgia |
| DT Nazir Stackhouse, Georgia |
| OT Xavier Truss, Georgia |
Georgia is the favorite to win the SEC Championship and a third national title in four years. If that’s going to happen, it starts up front. Georgia boasts the most representatives with four players on the Outland Trophy watch list, including defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse. The Bulldogs ranked 18th against the run last year, allowing just 113.6 yards per game.
Mike Bobo will have plenty of options on when to run and pass this fall. Fairchild and Truss bring plenty of experience. Ratledge could have gone pro last year and is the only unanimous All-SEC First Team member returning from 2023. The trio contributed to Georgia’s ranking fifth in total offense (496.5 yards per game) and 20th in rushing offense (191.2 yards per game) last season. The addition of Trevor Etienne should see the Bulldogs return to the RBU elite of college football.
Preseason Watch List – 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲@xtruss94 @TheStackHouse_ @tateratledge22 @DylanFairchild6 #GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/nJ1DG8x7qA
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) July 30, 2024
The Tide Continues to Roll
| OG Tyler Booker, Alabama |
| C Parker Brailsford, Alabama |
| DT Tim Smith, Alabama |
College football is changing significantly in 2024. Even without Nick Saban at the helm, Alabama boasts the second-most SEC Outland Trophy nominations, joining Ohio State and USC with three players on the list. The Tide will look different on both sides of the ball this year. Offensively, Kalen DeBoer brings a fast-paced, up-tempo approach to stretch defenses and create opportunities for both the running and passing games. On defense, Kane Wommack, coming from South Alabama, will lead the Tide with his aggressive “swarm” defensive strategy.
Three Teams with Two Nominees
| C Eli Cox, Kentucky | OT Will Campbell, LSU | OG Cam’Ron Johnson, Missouri |
| DT Deone Walker, Kentucky | OT Emery Jones, LSU | OT Armand Membou, Missouri |
The Southeastern Conference showcases its depth, with Kentucky, Missouri, and LSU all receiving multiple nominations.
Cox will play a pivotal role in helping Bush Hamdan, who comes over from Boise State, lead the Wildcats in 2024. Under Hamdan, the Broncos were second in the MWC in scoring offense and third in total offense. Johnson and Memou aim to lead the Tigers to some upsets and potentially their first appearance in the expanded College Football Playoff. Last year, LSU’s offensive line, anchored by Campbell and Jones, played a key role in making LSU the only FBS team to finish in the Top 10 nationally in both rushing and passing yards per game. This year, Johnson and Memou aim to lead the Tigers to some upsets and potentially their first appearance in the expanded College Football Playoff.
Four Teams with One Nominee
| DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss |
| C Cooper Mays, Tennessee |
| OT Kelvin Banks, Texas |
| OG Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M |
The SEC continues to showcase its depth, with four teams having at least one nominee. After arriving from Texas A&M, Nolan will aim to lead the Rebels to a possible SEC Championship and playoff berth. Mays, entering his fifth year with the program, will be the Vols’ starting center for the fourth consecutive season. Banks will help anchor a potentially explosive Longhorn offense, with big expectations in Texas’ first year in the SEC. Bisontis, a sophomore from Ramsey, N.J., and one of the top young offensive linemen in the country made the All-SEC Freshman team last year.
SEC Outland Trophy Winners Since 2000
- 2024: T’Vondre Sweat (Texas)
- 2021: Jordan Davis (Georgia)
- 2020: Alex Leatherwood (Alabama)
- 2018: Quinnen Williams (Alabama)
- 2016: Cam Robinson (Alabama)
- 2012: Luke Joeckel (Texas A&M)
- 2011: Barrett Jones (Alabama)
- 2008: Andre Smith (Alabama)
- 2007: Glenn Dorsey (LSU)
- 2004: Jammal Brown (Oklahoma)
- 2000: John Henderson (Tennessee)
The SEC leads all conferences with 11 Outland Trophy winners since 2000. Sorry, Brett Yormark. If the SEC can “claim” Vince Young and Texas’ Rose Bowl win, we can use it for our creative accounting.
Vince Young. 4th and 5 🌹
One of college football’s all-time great performances. pic.twitter.com/vXBeWe1wfT
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) July 1, 2024
For those scoring at home, the Big Ten was second (against) to the SEC with nine winners. The ACC (aided by Stanford) had three winners, with the Big 12, Notre Dame, and Washington State each having one winner. Congratulations to all of the nominees. We can’t wait to see you out there!
