OMAHA (FWAA) – A center on the nation’s fifth-best rushing offense and national title contender, the highest-graded offensive tackle throughout the season and one of the nation’s top pass-rushing threats are the three finalists for the 2022 Outland Trophy as selected by the Football Writers Association of America.
Calijah Kancey of Pitt, a defensive tackle with 14.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks; Olusegun Oluwatimi, a center who has helped guide Michigan to consecutive Big Ten East division titles, and Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski, a perennial Big Ten stalwart and pro scout favorite, are this season’s superior linemen.
The Outland Trophy is awarded annually to the nation’s best college interior lineman on offense or defense. The All-America Committee of the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) selected the finalists.
The recipient of the 77th Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live in a virtual presentation on ESPN on Dec. 8. 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, Neb., on Jan. 11, 2023.
Pitt has had two former Outland winners in defensive lineman Aaron Donald in 2013 and offensive tackle Mark May in 1980. Oluwatimi would be Michigan’s first Outland winner among several previous finalists. Skoronski would be Northwestern’s first Outland winner.
Here is a glance at the three finalists:
Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt (#8, 6-0, 280, Jr., Miami, Fla.): Kancey is the among the national leaders with 14.5 tackles for loss (t-21st in FBS) and 7.5 sacks (t-45th). The pass-rush specialist is also a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the FWAA’s award honoring the nation’s most outstanding defensive player. Kancey is eighth on the Panthers’ defense with 31 total tackles with 17 solos. Bolstered by his efforts on the inside, Pitt leads the nation in sacks with 3.75 per game and is seventh nationally against the run (95.5).
Pitt has a rich Outland Trophy tradition. Beyond previous winners Donald and May, Mark Stepnoski, a guard, was a finalist in 1988.
Olusegun Oluwatimi, C, Michigan (#55, 6-3, 307, Gr., Upper Marlboro, Md.): Michigan is one step from earning its 44th Big Ten championship and a return to the College Football Playoff in large part due to its offensive line success ahead of its run game. Oluwatimi was a second-team FWAA…
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