Trio of Nittany Lions Named to Watch Lists

We’re quickly approaching the end of watch list season, but that doesn’t mean things are slowing down for Penn State football players.

On Tuesday, the Nittany Lions saw three more players named to watch lists, two of which were named as players to watch for the same award.

Senior defensive back Amani Oruwariye, who is expected to step into a starting role this season after being selected second-team All-Big Ten a year ago by both coaches and media, was named to the watch list for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

The Nagurski Trophy, founded in 1993, is awarded annually by the Football Writers Association of America to the nation’s top defensive player. Penn State has never had a player win the award.

Both Ryan Bates and Connor McGovern were named players to watch for the Outland Trophy. The FWAA awards the trophy to the nation’s best interior lineman and has done so every year since 1946.

Mike Reid is the only player from Penn State to have won the Outland Trophy, doing so in 1969.