Hutchings tabbed to Nagurski, Outland watch lists
DALLAS – Texas Tech senior defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings was named to a pair of preseason watch lists – the 2023 Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list and Outland Trophy watch list – the Football Writers Association of America announced on Tuesday. The Nagurski Trophy honors the nation’s most outstanding defensive player while the Outland Trophy celebrates the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman.
Hutchings is one of 94 defensive standouts selected to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list and is just one of 13 defensive tackles named to the watch list. Furthermore, Hutchings is one of 10 players across FBS football named to both the Nagurski and Outland watch lists on Tuesday.
Hutchings enters 2023 as one of the most-experienced defensive linemen in the country entering his super-senior season with 46 career starts up front for the Red Raiders. Hutchings has totaled 149 career tackles, including 18.5 for a loss and 7.5 sacks. He is coming off his best season as a Red Raider with 50 stops in 2022 and 5.5 tackles that went for a loss.
Hutchings was the third-highest graded interior defensive lineman (84.5) by PFF in the Big 12 during the 2022 season and was ninth overall among his power-five counterparts.
Unlike the Nagurski Trophy which focuses solely on the top defensive standout, the Outland Trophy recognizes the most outstanding interior lineman whether on offense or defense. Of the 91 returning standout interior lineman recognized on Tuesday, Hutchings is one of 24 defensive tackles while the remainder are on the offensive side of the ball with 31 offensive tackles, 24 guards and 12 centers.
Players may be added or removed from each of the watch lists during the course of the season. The winner of the Nagurski Award will be unveiled on Dec. 4 at the Bronko Nagurski Awards Banquet in Charlotte, N.C. while the Outland Trophy winner will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN, on Dec. 7.
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Release provided by MATT BURKHOLDER Texas Tech Athletics