The Football Writers Association of America named Illinois senior C Doug Kramer and senior OL Vederian Lowe to the Outland Trophy watch list, they announced Tuesday. It is Kramer's second watch list of the 2021 preseason, he was named to the Rimington watch list last week. This is Lowe's first career watch list.
THE OUTLAND TROPHY
The award is given annually to the nation's best interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after named after John Outland, an All-America lineman at Pennsylvania in the late 1800s. It is the third oldest player award in major-college football behind the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award.
Last three winners: Alex Leatherwood (Alabama), Penei Sewell (Oregon), Quinnen Williams (Alabama)
Doug Kramer | Outland Trophy Watch List
- Third-best true pass set blocking grade among Power Five centers from 2018-19 according to Pro Football Focus
- 14 big-time run-blocks in 2019 were the most PFF has ever recorded by a Power Five center in the PFF College era
- 2021 PFF Preseason All-America honorable mention
- 2021 PFF Preseason All-Big Ten second team
- No. 7 ranked interior offensive lineman returning to college football in 2021, according to PFF
- No. 7 NFL Draft center prospect in the nation by Mel Kiper
- 2021 Athlon Preseason All-Big Ten third team
- 2021 Phil Steele Preseason All-Big Ten fourth team
- 2020 All-Big Ten honorable mention (media)
- 2020 All-Big Ten honorable mention (coaches)
Vederian Lowe | Outland Trophy Watch List
- 2020Â All-Big Ten honorable mention (media)
- 2020Â All-Big Ten honorable mention (coaches)
- Started all eight games at left tackle
- Ended the 2020 season with 34 straight starts 40 career starts, eight away from tying the Illinois record (Nathan Scheelhaase, QB, 2010-13; Ryan McDonald, C, 2005- 08; Tim Simpson, OL, 1988-91)
- 40 career starts is tied for the most among current Illini (Alex Palczewski)
ILLINI ON WATCH LISTS (AS OF JULY 27)
