First, Deone Walker and Max Hairston were announced as being on the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Award. Then, Hairston made the preseason watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award. On Wednesday, the watch list for the Outland Trophy listed two Wildcats to watch.
The Outland Trophy is given each season to the best lineman in college football, whether it’s on offense or defense. Kentucky has one of each on the list.
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Deone Walker is the defensive representative on the list. At 6’6″, 345 lbs, he is a massive presence up front for the Wildcats. His performance has also been big, as he recorded 55 tackles, including 12.5 for a loss. He also rushed the quarterback well for someone his size, and totaled 7.5 sacks on the season.
On the offensive side of the ball, Eli Cox has developed into one of the country’s best centers. The sixth-year Senior is a team captain, and has 35 starts under his belt.
Obviously, fans will have to wait a while before finding out if any of the Wildcats win these awards. However, Big Blue Nation has to be happy to have so many talented players on this year’s squad.