The Atlantic Coast Conference had 17 players selected to the 2017 Preseason Outland Trophy Watch List and 20 named to the 2017 Nagurski Trophy Watch List, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) announced Thursday.
Both totals are the most by any conference. In all, 31 ACC players were named to either watch list with 17 being honored by both awards.
The Outland Trophy is awarded annually by the FWAA to the top interior lineman in the country. The Nagurski Trophy is presented annually by the FWAA to the nation’s top defensive player.
A total of eight ACC players from current ACC schools have captured the Outland Trophy, the most recent being Pitt’s Aaron Donald, the 2013 winner.
Seven former players from current ACC schools have captured the Nagurski Trophy, the most recent being Donald in 2013. ACC players have captured three of the last seven Nagurski Trophies, including Donald, Luke Kuechly of Boston College (2011) and Da’Quan Bowers of Clemson (2010).
ACC Players Nominated for the Outland Trophy (17)
Austin Davis, C, Duke
Alex Eberle, C, Florida State
Alex Officer, C, Pitt
Tony Adams, G, NC State
Parker Braun, G, Georgia Tech
Tyrone Crowder, G, Clemson
Geron Christian, T, Louisville
Mitch Hyatt, T, Clemson
Evan Lisle, T, Duke
Brian O’Neill, T, Pitt
Bentley Spain, T, North Carolina
Drew Bailey, DT, Louisville
B.J. Hill, DT, NC State
Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State
Kendrick Norton, DT, Miami
Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
ACC Players Nominated for the Nagurski Trophy (20)
Drew Bailey, DT, Louisville
B.J. Hill, DT, NC State
Dexter Lawrence, DT, Clemson
Derrick Nnadi, DT, Florida State
Kendrick Norton, DT, Miami
Christian Wilkins, DT, Clemson
Bradley Chubb, DE, NC State
Duke Ejiofor, DE, Wake Forest
Harold Landry, DE, Boston College
Josh Sweat, DE, Florida State
Chad Thomas, DE, Miami
Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Virginia Tech
James Hearns, DE, Louisville
Micah Kiser, LB, Virginia
Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami
Jaire Alexander, CB, Louisville
Quin Blanding, S, Virginia
Derwin James, DB, Florida State
Tarvarus McFadden, CB, Florida State
Jordan Whitehead, S, Pitt