Tag: 2023 Preseason Watch Lists

LSU punter Jay Bramblett named to Ray Guy Award watch list

Jay Bramblett ranked second in the SEC and 11th nationally in punting average last fall.

LSU’s inconsistencies on special teams last season were well documented, but punter [autotag]Jay Bramblett[/autotag] was one of the most reliable members of that unit.

The Notre Dame transfer followed coach [autotag]Brian Kelly[/autotag] to Baton Rouge, and he was the primary punter in all 14 games last fall. Now, he’s been named to the preseason watch list for the Ray Guy Award entering the 2023 season.

Bramblett, a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has a career punting average of 44.2 yards, and he averaged 44.55 yards per punt in 2022. That mark was the seventh best in school history, and it ranked second in the SEC and 11th nationally.

The 2023 season will mark Bramblett’s fifth and final season of eligibility after he started for three seasons with the Fighting Irish.

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3 LSU players named to Outland Trophy watch list

Will Campbell, Emery Jones and Mekhi Wingo were all named to the preseason watch list for the Outland.

Three LSU players have been named to the preseason watch list for the Outland Trophy, which is given to the top interior lineman in the country, regardless of offense or defense.

Offensive tackles [autotag]Will Campbell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emery Jones[/autotag] were named to the watch list, as well as defensive tackle [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag].

Campbell and Jones held down the starting tackle spots as true freshmen last fall, improving as the year went on. Now, both are expected to have huge seasons as sophomores.

Wingo, meanwhile, wasn’t expected to start last year but took over for the injured Maason Smith, becoming an All-SEC player. He was also named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list.

LSU has improved in the trenches quite a bit since coach Brian Kelly arrived in Baton Rouge, and that’s evidenced by this watch list.

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Harold Perkins, Mekhi Wingo named to Nagurski Trophy watch list

Two LSU standouts were named to the Nagurski Trophy watch list for the best defensive player in college football.

It’s preseason award watch list season, and LSU has put two players on the list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, which is given to the top defensive player in college football.

[autotag]Harold Perkins[/autotag] and [autotag]Mekhi Wingo[/autotag] were both among the 94 players chosen for the watch list after each had breakout 2022 seasons in their first campaigns with the Tigers.

Perkins, a five-star true freshman, became the team’s best pass-rusher by the end of the year and could see an even bigger role this fall. Wingo, meanwhile, was thrust into a starting role after [autotag]Maason Smith[/autotag] was lost for the year, ultimately earning All-SEC honors after transferring in from Missouri.

Now, Wingo will be paired up with a healthy Smith in what could be the SEC’s best interior duo.

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Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers named to preseason Maxwell Award watch list

The connection between Jayden Daniels and Malik Nabers was one of the biggest developments last fall.

Entering the 2023 season, LSU has a lot more apparent star power than it did this time last year. There’s no better evidence for that than the fact that the Tigers placed not one but two players on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Award.

Quarterback [autotag]Jayden Daniels[/autotag] and receiver [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] were both among the 85 players nationally who were named to the watch list for the award, which is given annually to the most outstanding player in college football.

[autotag]Joe Burrow[/autotag] won the award for LSU in 2019.

Daniels and Nabers developed quite a connection during the 2022 season. The latter was able to break out due to improved quarterback play, finishing with more than 1,000 yards while leading the SEC in receptions and finishing second in receiving yards.

In addition to his passing performance, Daniels led LSU in rushing and set single-season program records for rushing yards and touchdowns from a quarterback.

Both players are expected to have big years on a team with playoff hopes.

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