Reynolds, Hansen Named to Outland Trophy Watch List

PROVO, Utah (July 8, 2011) -- Adding to a growing list of preseason honors, two BYU offensive linemen, senior Matt Reynolds and junior Braden Hansen, have been named to the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, an award presented annually to the nation's best offensive or defensive lineman.

Athlon Sports, Lindy’s Sports and Sporting News have already honored Reynolds as a Preseason Football All-American First Team selection. A 6-foot-6, 322-pound left tackle, Reynolds enters his senior year as one of the nation’s top lineman after deciding not to enter this year’s NFL Draft. A three-year starter and two-time first-team all-conference honoree, Reynolds also received Preseason All-America Second Team honors in Phil Steele’s College Football Preview. 

As a sophomore last year, Hansen collected honors as a College Football News All-Sophomore Team honorable mention as well as an All-MWC honorable mention and Phil Steele’s All-Mountain West Second Team. In his freshman season, the 6-foot-6, 310-pound left guard was named to the Football Writers Association of America Freshman All-America First team and Phil Steele’s All-Freshman First Team while receiving College Football News Freshman Team honorable mention.

Hansen is currently listed as the No. 4 junior offensive guard while Reynolds is listed as the No. 5 senior offensive tackle on Mel Kiper's 2012 NFL Draft Big Board on ESPN.com.

BYU has had two Outland Trophy winners, with offensive guard Mohammed Elewonibi claiming the trophy in 1989 and defensive lineman Jason Buck winning in 1986.

The Outland Trophy, presented annually since 1946, is the third oldest award in major college football. The winner of the 66th Outland Trophy, named after the late John Outland, an All-America lineman at Penn and Kansas at the turn of the century, will be announced on The Home Depot College Football Awards on Dec. 8 on ESPN.

The Outland Trophy presentation banquet, sponsored by the Greater Omaha Sports Committee, will be held on Jan. 12, 2012, in Omaha, Neb.

CLICK HERE to see a complete list of players on the 2011 Outland Trophy Watch List.