Auburn's Justin Rogers named to Outland Trophy watch list

AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn junior defensive lineman Justin Rogers has been named to the Outland Trophy preseason watch list, one of 91 players recognized for the potential to be college football's best interior lineman in 2023, the Football Writers Association of America announced Tuesday.

A native of Detroit, Michigan, Rogers transferred to Auburn after playing 33 games at Kentucky from 2020-22. He recorded 60 career tackles, including five tackles for loss. Rogers made a career-high nine tackles vs. Vanderbilt last season.  

Seventeen of the 91 Outland watch listers compete in the SEC, with eight of those 17, including the 6-3, 346-pound Rogers, playing defensive tackle.

The 2023 season will close with the award's 78th anniversary and the watch list offers a talented field of players alongside two returning FWAA All-Americans.

The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Nebraska, on Jan. 10,
2024.

There are 31 offensive tackles on this year's list with 24 defensive tackles and 24 guards to go with 12 centers. Just under half of the 133 Football Bowl Subdivision schools – 65 – are represented.

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.

The Outland Trophy is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Missouri. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.

Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer