UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State redshirt senior offensive lineman Mike Miranda and redshirt junior offensive lineman Rasheed Walker have both been named to the Outland Trophy Watch List, it was announced on Tuesday.
Tackles, guards and centers are eligible for consideration for the nation's top interior lineman award.
The Outland Trophy winner is chosen from three finalists who are a part of the annual FWAA All-America Team. The FWAA All-America Committee, after voting input from the entire membership, selects a 26-man first team and eventually the three Outland finalists. Committee members, then by individual ballot, select the winner. Only interior linemen on offense or defense are eligible for the award; ends are not eligible.
The Outland Trophy, celebrating 75 years since its founding, is the third-oldest major college football award. Created in 1946 when Dr. John Outland presented the FWAA with a financial contribution to initiate the award, the Outland Trophy has been given to the best interior lineman in college football ever since. Dr. Outland, an All-American at the University of Pennsylvania in the late 1890s, eventually took up practice in Kansas City, Mo. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Outland believed linemen did not get the credit they deserved and wanted an award to recognize them.
Mike Miranda
- In 2020, earned second-team All-Big Ten laurels from the coaches and media.
- Selected to the Associated Press All-Big Ten second team.
- Named to Phil Steele's All-Big Ten third team.
- Was an honorable mention All-Big Ten honoree by Pro Football Focus.
- Made nine starts at left guard.
- Penn State ranked second in the Big Ten in total offense (430.3).
Rasheed Walker
- Has appeared in 26 career games, making 22 starts, all at left tackle.
- Named third team All-Big Ten by the media and honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches in 2020.
- Started all nine games at left tackle.
- Penn State ranked second in the Big Ten in total offense (430.3).
Penn State Football Preseason Honors/Watch Lists
Jaquan Brisker: Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award, Nagurski Trophy
Sean Clifford: Allstate Good Works Team Nominee
Noah Cain: Doak Walker Award
Jahan Dotson: Maxwell Award, Biletnikoff Award, Big Ten Player to Watch
James Franklin: Dodd Trophy
Keyvone Lee: Doak Walker Award
John Lovett: Doak Walker Award
Jesse Luketa: Butkus Award
Mike Miranda: Outland Trophy
Brandon Smith: Butkus Award
Brenton Strange: Mackey Award
Rasheed Walker: Outland Trophy
Penn State's season opener on Sept. 4 at Wisconsin will kick off at noon on FOX. The Nittany Lions will make their return to Beaver Stadium on Sept. 11 vs. Ball State, a 3:30 p.m. ET start on FS1. Penn State's 2021 schedule with updated kick times and TV designations can be found here: https://bit.ly/3fVFuhc.
The 2021 Penn State Football season is presented by PSECU.