IRVING, Texas - Eight American Athletic Conference players were among the 91 returning standouts who were named to the preseason watch list for the 2023 Outland Trophy, which honors the nation's top interior lineman.

The American's eight selections trail only the SEC (17), Pac-12 (12), Big Ten (11) and Big 12 (10) among the nation's FBS conferences.

Tulane, UTSA and SMU had two players each named to the watch list, while UAB and Rice and single selections.

The Green Wave's selections were a pair of offensive linemen - center Sincere Haynesworth and guard Prince Pines, who helped Tulane average 441.4 yards and 36.0 points last season. 

UTSA's two picks were defensive tackle Brandon Brown and offensive tackle Makai Hart. Brown was a first-team all-conference pick last season, while Hart earned honorable mention accolades.

SMU was represented by offensive guard Justin Osborne and defensive tackle Elijah Chatman. Both players earned second-team all-conference honors last season.

UAB had nose tackle Fish McWilliams on the watch list. McWilliams had 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks and started all 13 games last season. Servin has made 38 consecutive starts at offensive tackle for Rice.

The recipient of the 2023 Outland Trophy will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards, live on ESPN in December. The official presentation to the winner will be made at the Outland Trophy Awards Dinner sponsored by Werner Enterprises and produced by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee in Omaha, Neb., on Jan. 10, 2024.

The American last had an Outland Trophy winner in 2017, when Houston defensive tackle Ed Oliver earned the honor.


American Athletic Conference Players on Outland Trophy Watch List
Brandon Brown, DT, UTSA
Elijah Chatman, DT, SMU
Makai Hart, OT, UTSA
Sincere Haynesworth, C, Tulane
Fish McWilliams, DT, UAB
Justin Osborne, OG, SMU
Prince Pines, OG, Tulane
Clay Servin, OT, Rice