Cody O'Connell Named Outland Trophy Finalist
DALLAS - Washington State left guard
Cody O'Connell has been named a finalist for the Outland Trophy, the Football Writers Association of America announced Monday. The Outland Trophy is presented to the best interior lineman in college football on offense or defense since 1946. O'Connell is joined by Ohio State center Pat Elflein and Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson.
O'Connell, a redshirt-junior from Wenatchee, Wash. is the first Cougar Outland Trophy finalist since defensive lineman Rien Long won the award in 2002. O'Connell has started ten games at left guard for the No. 23 Cougars who has helped protect for the nation's second-rated passing offense (380.0) and blocked for a rushing attack that owns seven 100-yard efforts including three 200-yard performances. WSU's rushing offense has improved greatly this season, going from 80.1 ypg in 2015 to 132.5 ypg in 2016.
O'Connell, nicknamed "The Continent" by coach
Mike Leach, was named to the Midseason All-American First Team by FOX Sports and CBSSports.com and to the Midseason All-America Second Team by SportsIllustrated. Most recently, he was ranked second nationally among guards and best in the country as a pass-blocker by Pro Football Focus.
The winner of the 2016 Outland Trophy will be announced Thurs., Dec. 8 on
The Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN, the main show beginning at 7 p.m. ET, live from the National Football Foundation's College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.
The Outland Trophy is named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1800s, is the third-oldest player award in major college football behind the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award. It has been awarded to the best interior lineman in college football on offense or defense since 1946 when Notre Dame's George Connor was named the recipient.
For the 20th consecutive year, the presentation of the Outland Trophy will occur in Omaha, on Jan. 11, 2017, at a banquet sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee.
