College football is right around the corner and preseason awards season is winding down. On Friday, the Rimington Trophy watchlist dropped, and six Big Ten centers were honored.
Each year, the Rimington Trophy is awarded to the nation’s top center. This year, the committee worked with Pro Football Focus to narrow down its list to just 40 names heading into the 2024 season. The Big Ten’s six names were good for third-most from any conference.
In the first week, the Maxwell Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Outland Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award, Paul Hornung Award, Wuerffel Trophy, Ray Gay Award, and Lou Groza Awards were all previewed. Before the Rimington Trophy watchlist was announced, the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, Doak Walker Award, Biletnikoff Award, Davey O’Brien Award, and Mackey Award watchlists had already dropped.
Six Big Ten Centers Honored on Rimington Trophy Watchlist
Logan Jones, Iowa
Logan Jones started his Iowa career on the defensive line. After two years, Jones flipped to the offensive side before the 2022 season. He won the starting center job and started all 13 games for the Hawkeyes. Last year, Jones started all 13 games at center and earned Third-Team All-Big Ten honors.
Jones is also a preseason First-Team All-Big Ten selection by both Phil Steele and Athlon Sports to go with his Rimington Trophy and Outland Trophy watchlist placements.
Jonah Monheim, USC
A tackle-turned-center, Jonah Monheim is a fifth-year senior and returning captain for the Trojans. He was the first USC freshman to log starts at both tackles in 2021. In his career, Monheim has started 34 games in total; 18 at right tackle, 12 at left tackle, and four at right guard. He is coming off a Second-Team All-Pac-12 selection last year.
Gus Hartwig, Purdue
A four-time Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection, Gus Hartwig is looking to finally be honored with a higher team this year. Across his career, Hartwig has made 36 starts and appeared in three others. As a true freshman in 2020, he was the first true freshman to start for the Boilermakers since 2008. Last season, Hartwig was a big part of the Boilermakers leading the Big Ten in rushing in conference games.
Last year, he was a Campbell Trophy semifinalist and Werffel Trophy nominee for his efforts on the field, in the community, and in the classroom.
Iapani Laloulu, Oregon
Quite possibly the youngest player on the 40-man Rimington Trophy watchlist, Iapani Laloulu is a true sophomore for Oregon. Laloulu was an uber-versatile member of the Ducks’ rotation last year. In total, he logged 413 snaps. 183 of those snaps were at right guard, 116 were at left guard, and 111 were at center.
Laloulu notched his first career start in the Fiesta Bowl in the win over Liberty. In 39 pass-blocking snaps (65 overall), he allowed just one pressure.
Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State
Seth McLaughlin is in his fifth season of college football and he already has his degree. He graduated in two and a half years Summa Cum Laude with a 4.00 grade point average at Alabama and earned his Master’s Degree this past December. While at Alabama, he was a 24-game starter for the Crimson Tide over his last three seasons.
He is currently expected to take over the center role for the Buckeyes but they haven’t ruled out him kicking over to right guard in an attempt to get the “five best linemen” on the field.
Ben Scott, Nebraska
Finally, Ben Scott was a member of the Arizona State Sun Devils for three seasons before manning the Cornhuskers’ offensive line last year. With the Sun Devils, Scott started every single possible game save for one in 2022. He came to Nebraska with 28 games started under his belt.
In his first season with the Huskers, Scott started 11 games and appeared in another and was recognized with an Honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection.
