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Preseason Outland Favorites Named

© Chuck Bednar

A preseason list of Outland Trophy candidates has been released by the Football Writers' Association of America.

The Outland is awarded annually to the best interior lineman, offensive or defensive, in college football. The checklist, released this past June, advises committee members of the top candidates entering the season. The list is occasionally altered during the season, and three of the candidates will be named finalists. The Outland winner will be announced on the ESPN College Football Awards Show on Dec. 10, and will be presented with the trophy at a January banquet.

The list of those to keep an eye on includes:

DT Jared DeVries, Iowa - A 1997 preseason All-American by the Sporting News, DeVries has yet to miss a game in his career. The 6'4", 205-pound Junior was a first team All-Big Ten and third team All-America by Football News in 1996, when he led the conference in tackles for loss yards (22-133) and ranked second in QB sacks (13-104).

G Rob Murphy, Ohio State - In only his second year as a started, Murphy is highly regarded as one of the NCAA's best offensive linemen. He was named to the Football News' Freshman All-America team last season.

C Josh Heskew, Nebraska - Heskew was the sixth man in the Cornhusker's rotation last year, coming in at center when Aaron Taylor moved to guard. That experience should help the grad of Mustang High School in Oklahoma, but he will be returning from a broken foot which kept him out of spring scrimmages. G Ben Adams, Texas - Adams is a 6-5, 305 pound junior from LaMirada, CA.

G Anthony Cesario, Colorado State - A junior from Pueblo, CO, Cesario is a load at 6'6", 310 pounds.

G Frank Mindrup, Air Force -- A returning starter, the 6'5", 290-pound Mindrup plays every bit as agressively as his larger counterparts. Mindrup is a senior with the Falcons.

G Scott Kiernan, Syracuse -- Kiernan, a senior, earned second team All-Big East honors in 1996. The 6-2, 308 pounder has exceptional strength and is a returning starter.

OT Kris Farris, UCLA -- Farris is only a sophomore. He has immense height (6-9), but at 295, he could stand to add some more mass.

OT Matt Stinchcomb, Georgia -- A returning starter and letterman, Sinchcomb has been named to the 1998 College Sports News Pre-Season All-America First Team. In addition to his many football successes, including being named to the Burger King Coaches' All-America first team and the GTE Academic All-America team last season, Stinchcomb has been recognized with numerous awards for leadership and academic excellence.

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