2013 Outland Trophy Semifinalists announced
By Jack Crosby
As the semifinalists for the major awards in college football begin to pour in as the season winds down, it’s time to recognize the young men that don’t generally receive the publicity or notoriety that they deserve.
Wednesday morning, the semifinalists were announced for the 2013 Outland Trophy, recognizing the nation’s top interior linemen.
The semifinalists list is compromised of six linemen–five offensive and one very deserving defensive–that have made a tremendous impact in the trenches for their respective program’s this year.
1) Aaron Donald, DT Pitt Panthers: Although the team has been inconsistent, Donald himself has not at all. He’s been a terror for opposing offenses in the ACC this season and has continually displayed the makings of someone who can do the very same at the next level when the senior moves on to the NFL next year.
2) Cyrus Kouandjio, OT Alabama Crimson Tide: Alabama is on a quest for a third straight national championship because their offensive line is once again a proverbial brick wall. Kouandjio is the anchor of all this in the absence of Barrett Jones who is in the NFL now.
3) Jake Matthews, OT Texas A&M Aggies: Everyone wants to talk about how much Johnny Manziel has improved as a pocket passer. How about we recognize the linemen who have protected him and given him the time to improve back there. Well, this nomination does just that as Matthews has been Manziel’s saving grace throughout the year.
4) Cyril Richardson, OG Baylor Bears: Baylor has been putting up mind-blowing numbers on offense this entire season and the play of someone like Richardson up front has been the reason for that. He’s also showed tremendous versatility the last two years as he’s made the transition from tackle to the guard position.
5) Bryan Stork, C Florida State Seminoles: Jameis Winston has been spectacular in his first season at QB, but a lot of people don’t realize that he has had the luxury of working with one of the most experienced, talented centers in the country to work with through it all. Stork has played every position on the line during his time in Tallahassee and has made 36 career starts. He could almost be considered the real leader of this offensive juggernaut.
6) David Yankey, OG Stanford Cardinal: The Cardinal are mammoths up front once again as they run through virtually everyone in front of them in the Pac-12. Yankey is explosive off the ball and gives players like running back Tyler Gaffney tremendous room to work with the ball.