Outland Trophy Watch List: Ranking the Top 10 Candidates

Another day closer to the college football season kicking off is another day that some of the watch lists for the most prestigious awards are released. Today, that list included 71 players to keep an eye on for the Outland Trophy, an award that is given out to the best interior linemen in college football.

This award has been handed out since 1946 and is named after college football Hall of Fame player John Outland. It is one of the few awards in the sport that can be won by either a defensive or offensive player, which makes this award so unique and highly competitive to win.

With many players to choose from, here are the top 10 candidates that have a great chance to win the 2012 Outland Trophy.

10. Baker Steinkuhler, Nebraska

Baker Steinkuhler is an experienced defensive lineman entering his senior season. He is a leader on and off the field for this Nebraska team, and racked up 40 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks last season. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten and looks to emerge as one of the better interior linemen in the conference in 2012.

Nebraska has produced the most Outland Trophy winners with nine. 

9. Chris Faulk, LSU

LSU has one of the best offensive lines in college football and junior Chris Faulk may just be the best out of the entire group.

He is quick on his feet, has tremendous size at 6'6", 325 pounds and is excellent in both run and pass protection. He started 13 games at left tackle for the Tigers last year and was named second-team All-SEC.

8. Johnathan Hankins, Ohio State

Johnathan Hankins is a preseason All-American and for good reason.

He finished his sophomore season with 66 tackles, two sacks and ten tackles for loss. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten and should continue to prove with a year of experience under his belt. He is a massive linemen at 6'3", 320 pounds and very athletic for his size. 

7. Luke Joeckel, Texas A&M

Luke Joeckel is one of the better offensive linemen in all of college football, and will really get a chance to showcase his talents in the SEC. He has been a solid starter the last two seasons for the Aggies and many consider him NFL-ready right now.

6. Joe Vellano, Maryland

Joe Vellano is a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball for Maryland. He finished third on the team in tackles with 94, had 2.5 sacks, 7.5 tackles for loss, broke up four passes and returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

He is one of those players that is all over the field, which is why he was an All-American and earned All-ACC honors.

5. Travis Frederick, Wisconsin

A list without a Wisconsin Badger on it just would not be right. After all, it is a program that is known for producing some of the best linemen in the country.

Travis Frederick is a versatile player, who played both left guard and center last season for the Badgers. He earned consensus second-team All-Big Ten for his efforts in his first real season of playing time.

4. Star Lotulelei, Utah

Judging by his numbers, you wouldn't think Star Lotulelei has much of an impact on this Utah squad. But due to his great size and athletic ability, he makes the job easier for everybody else around him.

Lotulelei finished the 2011 season with 43 tackles, nine tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He was also named first-team All-Pac-12.

3. Kawann Short, Purdue

The Purdue Boilermakers struggled to pressure the quarterback last season (22 sacks), but you can't blame that lack of production on defensive tackle Kawann Short. He finished the year with 6.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss and 54 total tackles.

Look for him to take that next step in his career and improve his NFL draft stock as well.

2. Alvin Bailey, Arkansas

Alvin Bailey is a player who continues to improve his game on the offensive line for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

He has ridiculous size at 6'5", 320 pounds, but quick feet that makes him very difficult to get by. He has started 26 games throughout his Razorback career and was a member of the second-team All-SEC last season.

1. Barrett Jones, Alabama

Barrett Jones decided to return for another season at Alabama, despite being projected as a high pick in the NFL draft. Jones won the Outland Trophy last season and will try to become the first player ever to win the award twice.

What could make that even more remarkable is that he may end up switching from the tackle position to center this year.