Analyzing Top Big Ten Players on 2012 Nagurski and Outland Trophy Watch List

The Watch List parade continued apace on Thursday, with the watch lists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy (given annually to the top defensive player) and Outland Trophy (top interior lineman—tackles, guards and centers) released. The Big Ten has no shortage of great defenders or linemen, and as a matter of fact, there's even a bit of overlap on the watch lists.

Here's a look at the Big Ten's chances with both awards.

Bronko Nagurski Trophy

One of the Big Ten's strongest contenders for the Nagurski Trophy is Ohio State DE John Simon, who was a third-team All-American in 2011 and is poised for even bigger things this year. He registered 16 tackles-for-loss (15 solo) and seven sacks (all solo) in 2011, and those numbers only figure to go up as Johnathan Hankins continues to round into a form as a dominant defensive tackle, which means fewer double-teams on Simon.

Then there's Hankins himself, who's going to be atop a few preseason All-American lists at defensive tackle and finds himself on both the Nagurski and Outland watch lists. Defensive tackles generally have a harder time reaching the highest echelons of postseason praise—yes, Ndamukong Suh happened, but he's the exception that proves the rule here.

Nonetheless, if Hankins dominates to the point of double-digit sacks and around 20 tackles-for-loss—which is absolutely plausible—he could be on a short, short list of contenders for both awards.

Gerald Hodges should have a fantastic year for Penn State this year, but unless Penn State is a major factor in the Leaders Division race (not unrealistic, but not altogether likely), he's probably not going to get a ton of support in the Nagurski race. Still, he's one of the Big Ten's top defenders and deserves inclusion on his own merits here.

Outland Trophy

Johnathan Hankins is one of the two players on both watch lists; Purdue DT Kawann Short is the other. Short is like a more productive Jerel Worthy. He's 6'3", 310 pounds, and at times, utterly unblockable. He registered 17 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2011, and if he improves just slightly on those numbers and Purdue makes some noise, he could find himself in serious contention for both awards.

What also works in Short's favor is the unique situation in the Leaders Division. With Ohio State ineligible and Wisconsin one quarterback away from utter disaster, Purdue is a bit of a dark horse in the Leaders Division race. So if the Boilermakers get within a game of going to Indianapolis and Short helps turn around a rushing defense that couldn't crack the Top 80 nationally last year, that jump in Purdue's national standing will have a huge effect on Short's trophy candidacy.

Past that, Taylor Lewan is going to be a major factor for the Outland Trophy, especially if Michigan puts together a run at the Legends Division and if Denard Robinson breaks Pat White's career quarterback rushing record. Lewan was a great tackle last year, and praise for offensive linemen always lags a year, so if he stays healthy, he'll be a major factor in voting for this award.

Of course, no talk about quality linemen would be complete without the inclusion of Wisconsin's road-grader manufacturing facility—commonly referred to as the "Badger offensive line." Tackle Ricky Wagner and center Travis Frederick are on this year's watch list, and one has to think they'll both be in serious contention for the Outland when it's time to start paring the list down.