Wisconsin Football: Pair of OL on Outland Trophy Watch List

The middle of summer means college football award watch lists are unveiled

The Outland Trophy is given to the top interior lineman in college football.  Two Wisconsin Football players are on the 2017 watch list.

Former Wisconsin Football LT Gabe Carimi (2009) and Joe Thomas (2006) won the Outland Trophy.  The Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) oversees nominations and finalists.

Wisconsin Football has two OL on the watch list as both Michael Deiter and Beau Benzschawel were included.

Next: Wisconsin Football: Trio of Defenders on Award Watch List

Deiter is a 6’6″ 329 pound junior from Curtice, Ohio.  Deiter earned All Big Ten Honorable Mention honors his first two seasons in Madison.  He has started 27 games for Wisconsin Football split between center and left guard.

Benzschawel is a 6’6″ 316 pound junior from Grafton, Wisconsin.  He earned Second Team All Big Ten (coaches) and Third Team All Big Ten Honors (media) last season.  Benzschawel has played in 22 games for Wisconsin Football split between right tackle and right guard.  His younger brother Luke is a freshman TE for Wisconsin Football.

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A total of 11 Big Ten lineman are on the 2017 watch list.

"The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible."

For what it’s worth, 9 of the last 10 Outland Trophy winners have been picked in the 1st round of the NFL Draft including both Thomas and Carimi from Wisconsin.

The trouble Deiter and Benzschawel might have is sort of cannibalization of support.  If as expected, Wisconsin Football again lines up five (or more depending on the personnel package) road graders then voters may just decide it’s hard to pick a singular talent.  The surrounding talent from neighbor all along the Wisconsin Football OL could discount superior individual play.  The same way QBs get dinged for having talented skill position players at their disposal.