Two Hurricanes Tabbed as Outland Trophy Candidates
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Two Miami Hurricanes were among those selected to the watch list for the 2021 Outland Trophy honoring the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman, it was announced Tuesday.
Offensive tackles Zion Nelson and Jarrid Williams were tablled as candidates for the award, which is in its 75th season as the most prestigious honor for the nation’s top lineman.
Nelson has made 20 starts in his two seasons at The U, and emerged as Miami’s starting left tackle during the 2020 season. A South Carolina native, Nelson also started all 13 games at left tackle as a true freshman in 2019. Williams started all 10 games in which he participated in 2020, which marked his first season at The U. Prior to transferring to Miami, Williams earned the role as the starting right tackle at the University of Houston.
The selection of Nelson and Williams to the Outland Trophy watch list moved Miami’s total to seven Hurricanes recognized with major preseason honors; in addition to the offensive line duo, other players who have been recognized include quarterback D’Eriq King (Maxwell Award, O’Brien Award), safety Bubba Bolden (Bednarik Award, Thorpe Award, Preseason All-ACC, Nagurski Trophy), wide receiver Michael Harley (Biletnikoff Award), tight end Will Mallory (John Mackey Award) longsnapper Clay James (AFCA Good Works Team) and punter Lou Hedley (Preseason All-ACC).
